What do I look for when viewing a house I want to buy?

Question

I'm looking at some houses with a real estate agent tomorrow and I wanted to know what I am looking for? This is my first time buying a house and I'm a little freaked.

Answer 1

First find a house that you like for room and design. Before you sign any papers insist on getting a home inspection and make the contract contingent upon a favorable home inspection. You pay for the home inspection. If the inspector finds anything, you can negotiate to have it fixed or pass on the house if it's a big thing. They will check the foundation, electrical, plumbing, roof, crawl, basement, appliance, furnance, etc.

Second, Ask the seller to buy Home Owners Warranty for you. The seller is the only one that can by this. It will cover all repairs inside the house for a period of one year usually with a $100 deductible for you. This includes appliances, plumbing, electrical, walls, etc. When I bought this house, it had gas leaks, water leaks, needed a new water heater, dish washer, and dryer. The warranty covered it all for the $100 deductible. In todays market, it they won't buy it for you, find something else.

If the house is dirty when you walk in (not toys not picked up) but garbage everywhere, smells, or is by electric lines or a retention pond. Look else where. Retention ponds can overflow and flood the basement.

Go to city hall and make sure it isn't on a flood plain. It is almost impossible to get insurance for flooding if it is. And speaking of insurance, call your insurance agent and see if they will insure the house. Sometimes if there was a mold problem, you can't get insurance even if you are the new owner.

Real estate agents can not tell you the ethnic mix of a neighborhood or how the schools are rated. For the first, you can go to any public place and observe the people - even a school ground. For school ratings, go the the School District and they can give you information on how they are rated.

Third, if you decide to write a contract put a clause in it that all contracts have to be reviewed by your attorney (and give a time limit) before accepted. This will prevent you from signing something that they tell you is one thing, but is actually another.

Fourth, anything that you want to stay in the house (like window air conditioners, window treatments, appliances, etc.) have to be put in writing or it doesn't have to be left.

Have fun, it's not as hard as it seems if you use a little common sense.

Answer 2

Look at everything and in everywhere. Don't just skim through the house. Older homes, of course, have more wear and tear and you will need to make sure there are no problems you would have to fix. Check the bathrooms and appliances. Take notes so you remember what you liked and didn't like about each house. When you are really serious about a house, make sure the doors and windows function, the faucets all work, the drains don't back up, the exterior is in good shape, no cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceiling. Those are the big things. Also, don't be afraid to ask the seller to fix something as part of your offer and ask for a time limit in which they have to respond to your offer (i.e. 2 days or 24 hours or whatever you want).

Answer 3

It's weird, but when you find the right house you will just know.

Do you have any practical requirements (i.e. back yard, attached garage, open floor plan, two bathrooms)? Those come first.

As a long term home owner, some of the things I would look for if I were shopping again include plenty of closet space, lots of electrical plugs in practical places, big rooms, and good lighting already in place (no center fixtures!).

Try to overlook weird colors. cheesy paneling, and wallpaper and tiles. Those are all fairly cheap things to fix. Also don't fall for "styled for sale" houses over the ones with all the knick knacks - it's hard to do but you'll get a better bargain. Look for practical floor plans and look closely at the neighborhood around you. If you have a designer friend, take them along!

Answer 4

Make sure you LOVE it, because when you have to make the payments you'll want to make sure it's worth it.

Seriously... look for water damage, look in the cabinets, closets, look for small round black droppings that might indicate mice or termites. Flush the toilets, check the foundation of the house.

Before buying anything, go back and look at it at least 3 times. Go at night, during the day, on the weekend. Check out the neighborhood, dogs and the traffic. Look for low spots that might flood. All these things make your day to day living good or bad.

Make sure the house is inspected before purchasing, and that you have a "if the house needs more than x amount of money to make it in good condition, my contract is void" clause in your sales contract.

Good luck! Just wait till you get to the mortgage part... talk about freaky!!!!

Answer 5

Women look at paint. clean and the way the house smells. the way the furniture fits and if kids will fit. Bathrooms and kithchens do the cabinets work do the doors stick these are the major things. Men look at the foundation water damage the roof the plumbing flush the toilets Look for dry basements mold in the basement Neat no clutter nice smell neutral colors clean carpets. Landscaping when you walk up to the house curb apeal and a clean backyard, Dont be around when they show the house let the realesate agent show the house. My wife didnt like one house because the owner was creepy. No that you are, but people are weird. I hope this helps I bet the real estate lady knows more its her livley hood.

Answer 6

Along with all the other great answers such as termite damage, foundation, water damange, roof, window sills, plumbing and electrical, PLEASE dont let the color of paint stop you from purchasing a great house. Painting makes the place yours, and a great experience with friends, beer and pizza! Always keep your mind open to "potential". Try to see the house with YOUR furniture in it.. not the ugly 70's crap the seller will be taking with them! Look to the agent for the hard questions. They are getting the 6% commission.. make em earn it!

Answer 7

The best advice? Only look at homes that are AT or BELOW what you can spend on a home. Don't let the agent take you to houses that are more than you want to spend.

I agree with what others have posted about inspections, etc. above.

Answer 8

Apart from the good advice above, don't turn something down because you "don't like the color of the living room". If it hasn't damaged the structure or made it horridly expensive to change, all that can be changed. Try to see the house past the current owner's decorating style.

You can do your own cosmetic changes after you move in to make the house yours.

Answer 9

Look at the roof, the foundation, water damage ect. things that would be very costly or impossible to fix. DO NOT be afraid of being picky, this is a big, long term investment. If you prefer, an eat in kitchen for example, do not settle for less! Good luck

Answer 10

Well, depends. What do you like or want? 1 story or 2 story? Big or little yard? etc, etc.
One I recommend, stay away from homes that are near busy streets, have a shopping centers/businesses behind them and are in a flood zone. Obviously those will make resale value more difficult.
You should look at a lot of homes before making a final decision.
I just bought my first home 4 months ago...it took me about 4 months of looking to find one that I liked.