For those of you thinking about moving house soon, you will probably be viewing properties to find that ‘perfect’ home for you. It can be a stressful process, especially when you factor in the possibility of an expensive mistake if you choose the wrong property.
So, don’t just spend twenty minutes exploring a house before making up your mind. Don’t decide to buy a house sight unseen. Take your time when visiting the properties that take your fancy, as you will get a better understanding of the house in question. And, for the context of this article, take special care when viewing a house that comes at a bargain price. There could be a reason why the house is selling so cheaply, so ask yourself the following questions when viewing.
#1: How safe is the property?
You don’t want to move into a potential money pit, where you will be spending a fortune on repairs for many years to come, so be sure to check for any maintenance problems. Does the roof look stable? Is there damp on the walls? Are there any weird smells or sounds emanating from the property? If you spot signs of trouble, you might want to think again, unless you have the assurance that the issues will be dealt with. It’s in your best interest to pay for a home inspection too, and even drug testing, as the home could be chemically unsafe if previous residents had an addiction problem.
#2: What is the owner hiding?
If the owner plays loud music while you’re walking around the property, you have to wonder why. Are they hiding any suspicious sounds that could point to a maintenance issue? If the owner refuses to show you a specific room of the house, you need to have your guard up. What is wrong with the room in question? What secrets lie beyond the walls? And if the owner fails to answer any of your questions about the property, you need to be suspicious. It might simply be that they don’t know, but then again, they might be trying to keep any potential issues hidden from you. If your suspicions are raised, then do the sensible thing and leave.
#3: What are the neighbors like?
The house could be the ‘home of your dreams,’ but if the neighbors are a problem, you aren’t going to enjoy your time in the house. So, when viewing the property, listen out for any voices or sounds from next door. If you can clearly hear the neighbors, there is obviously an issue with soundproofing, and while you can fix this issue yourself, you might still think twice if the neighbors sound particularly disruptive. You should also spend time outside of the property, as you may be able to get a better look at the neighbors. Do they appear friendly? Look for warning signs too – if the neighbor’s property looks uncared for, they could single-handedly be negatively impacting the house prices in the area. This is great news if the property you are buying is cheap, but when you later intend to sell, you might regret your initial decision to buy.
Finding the right is never easy, especially when you later realize you have made a mistake with your purchase. So, be it a bargain property or otherwise, take your time in your search, and ask yourself the questions we have raised before signing on any dotted line.
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