When looking to purchase a home, what do you notice?

Question

I am feeling if perhaps I have watched too much Sell This House! I want close to what I need to be able to purchase a house I like and have listed this one for more than that. However, I am finding that I am fixing many of the little things that bugged me about this one (by myself! Thank you very much!!) Updated dining room light, caulked and painted the kitchen to a neutral, left over from when I got rid of the popcorn ceiling (ok, so some else did that.. but they left me extra paint... sooooo kitchen is painted, too) What small things do you see when you look at a house that I can take care of before my dream house is gone?

It is a condo in Fl, so I don't have control over the outside, much. Have added hurrincane shutters after Charlie, Francis and Jean... even though we made it through with very little damage. Bringing friends over on Monday to point out what needs help... I would really like it if they didn't find much and the next day I got more than I hoped....big dreamer.

Answer 1

The two rooms that "sell" a house are the kitchen and bathrooms. Focus on these two rooms.

Without doing major remodeling, try to take away all your personal items, like photos, paintings. Try to make the house as 'user' friendly as possible. Clean up clutter. Keep the home light and bright. Remove all the gadgets from the kitchen counter (if you have that, I don't know) because less is more . . . less stuff out on the counters, hallways, living room, creates the feel of more space.

Take a look at your house objectively. A lot of people are so emotional about their home thinking it's the Taj Mahal and that they love it, so why wouldn't someone else. Look at it through the eyes of a buyer.

Answer 2

Outside: Is the foundation sound and level? What about the steps? Is the roof in good shape, and the porch? Does the house need to be painted? If it has a fireplace, does the chimney need repairs?

Inside: Are there any leaks? Are there any cracks in the wall? What kind of shape is the wiring in? Is the house ready for phones, or maybe computers?

Kitchen: You've coverred this- as in the painting and lighting. Another big thing for me is storage space.

Bathroom: Do the fixtures need repairs? Is the flooring around the tub sound, or is it trying to rot from where water has sat?

Basement: Is it damp and musty? What about the stairs?

Attic: How hot does it get up there in the summer? Is it equipped with fans to help pull the hot air out? Again, check for leaks and insulation.

Another thing I remember from way back when when my husband and I were newly married, and house-hunting: One gentleman had a town house he wanted to sell to us. But the bathroom had the God-awfullest wallpaper I have ever seen anywhere, and to this day it makes me shudder! From what you've said, you wouldn't like that sort of thing either.

Good luck with your house!

Answer 3

Is it where you want to live a long time--good schools, shopping, transit, workplace? Which way does the yard slope? Check it during or a day after a good rain for drainage problems.
Is it on city water and sewers? If not, you may have to pay for new service soon. Is the septic system (I wouldn't own a home with one) in good repair and have room for the septic field to expand or be moved?
Is there lots of noisy traffic (day/night) or is it on an airport flight approach or near a train track? Or is it quiet and peaceful? Is it located next to or near undeveloped land? Don't count on it remaining empty. Is it in a flood plain or near one? Insurance is costly and FEMA has expanded small flood plains into larger ones, catching owners unaware and unprepared for extra costs.
Look at the neighborhood; lots of (screaming/yelling) kids (playground equipment in yards. Is it 'on the way up, or on the way down'?
Are there covenants on your property that restrict your choices? Do you have to pay for maintenance of common spaces and snow removal, trash pick up, etc.? Homeowner's Associations are very strict and courts have been upholding them widely. Does it have a neighborhood association, too? Contact them and ask about the community crime rate, depreciation, issues, etc. Then join it.
Have it inspected by a GOOD certified inspector.
Check the window sills and sashes for rot, sticking problems, condensation. Be suspicious of paint covering lots of water damages on walls, ceilings, floors and windows, too.
Do the fixtures leak? Does it have/need a whole house de/humidifier? Certainly check furnace, A/C, water heater and pipes that may be full of calcium/scale or made of materials that are no longer used. Check wiring for now-illegal aluminum. How much insulation is in it and when was it put in? It settles and needs to be increased.
Mold is a big no-no. Health departments can condemn your house if it has dangerous mold and insurance may not cover it.
Get a moisture meter and check corners, inside closets, basements. Roll a small ball across the floor in every room to see if it has settled unevenly (foundation problems). Always check for foundation cracks, morter crumbling.
Are there grounded (and GFCI in bath) outlets on every wall?
Are the gutters hanging at the right pitch to drain correctly without overflowing? How old is the roof flashing, roofing materials? Is the roof vented?
Finally, check to see if there's a lot of foreclosures in the area--can drive down your resale price quickly, leaving you with devalued property but a big debt. Make sure your appraisal is correct. Fraud (lending more than the house is worth) is a big problem.

Answer 4

"Sell This House!" is a great show! It has taught me a bunch about what the average person sees. Anyhoo, I try to look beyond the seller's furniture to see the actual room and wall conditions. In the bathrooms, I make sure the tub and sinks drain, and that the bathroom is in good working condition overall. I also like full size tubs.

As far as what you can fix, if your front entry is dirty, wash it, and if you have weeds or dead plants in any flower gardens, spruce them up. Have the carpets cleaned if it smells like pets live in your house or if you're a smoker. And finally, make sure I can see all the room you have in your closets and garage. (You'd be surprised at how many people stuff them so that you don't see anything but an avalanche o'stuff.)

Good luck with your home!

Answer 5

You should notice (and ask youself, about it, too) is the paint usuable? Do the curtains and carpet have the smell of burnt tobacco fire smoke? Are there any damages, even little ones, that need to be repaired? Any changes to the house you want to make? Does evertying work? Does the ac work?

Answer 6

Bathroom must be very clean, don't leave your shampoo in the shower, your flannel hanging over the side of the bath. It should look like a hotel room bathroom, no clutter.

Kitchen the same.No fridge magnets, no piles of stuff balanced on top of the fridge. Sink and drainer empty. No pans on the cooker hob. etc, you know really, it is just difficult to see it in your own home.

Answer 7

1. if the house is leveled
2. the asking price
3. the condition
4. the nieghborhood
5. if there is a backyard n a garage
6. how much u will have to spend fixing if needed to lower the asking price

Answer 8

the quality of the house the bckyard and garden and how much it costs

Answer 9

how big it is duh...........