i am thinking about getting a house some time down the road. NO time soon let me tell you, but if you were to advise me on getting a house what would it be? what was the thing you wished you had asked? should i rent or buy?
2006-06-19 14:16:49 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I bought my house in August of last year. It is 7 years old now. I wish I had asked the previous owners if they were SMART enough to use pressure treated wood when they built the huge deck out the back. Why? Because they didn't. And the whole thing is literally crumbling.
If you are buying a house, take a home inspector with you when you are sure of the one you want (or almost sure). It is well worth the couple of hundred dollars.
Focus on the heating and cooling systems, and the roof. Don't just walk into rooms when you are checking it out - walk all AROUND the rooms to check for squeaky floors/floorboards. Look under beds and other furniture. You'd be shocked at what some people will do to hide faults in the house (holes in carpet, etc). Also, go through the kitchen cupboards carefully and check for rodent poo. You'd be shocked.
2006-06-21 02:51:54 · answer #1 · answered by Sebring 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would like to know if they have any information about if the house is in a flood plain, ever have termite damage, does it have termites, has and if when did it have an insurance claim filed due to damage caused by fire, wind, water, etc. I would also like know what age the roof is and has there been any major alteration and/or repairs to the house since they've owned it. No one knows a home better than someone who lives in it. You should pump the existing owners for all the information you can get out of them.
Second question.....it's always better to buy.
Good Luck!!!
2006-06-19 23:31:07 · answer #2 · answered by M W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the heating and cooling systems. Are the appliances included in the house price.
Is the Electrical system up to date, with grounded plugs, and an updated circuit breaker box. Are the windows in good shape, to they work.
How old is the roof, will it need to be replace any time soon.
2006-06-19 23:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by johnb693 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Visit with the neighbors of a prospective house, and ask about the house your interested in. Also visit during different times of day. This may help you discover the freight train running thru your new backyard.
2006-06-19 23:01:14 · answer #4 · answered by Don 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When was the last time the central heat and air was serviced. Was it routinely serviced or occasionally. What the utilities bills ran (you can usually find this out by going to the companies).
And always get your own home inspection even if it was just inspected last week it can save you thousands.
2006-06-19 21:23:40 · answer #5 · answered by ebonybutterfly4u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋