First-time homebuyers are always prone to making mistakes in the process, mistakes which oftentimes turn the investment into a bad deal. Whether we are speaking about structural faults of the new property, or about hidden costs, fixing them might prove itself quite of a daunting task. Thus, paying attention to several clues might help rookies to avoid them and invest their money wisely. For instance, many first-time homebuyers only pay attention to the general appearance of the property, without considering crucial structural elements, such as the property’s insulation. Insulation should be done by a certified company, such as GNI. While many forget about this little aspect, it might affect the living conditions in the new home, as well as their finances. Although nobody wants to invest in a faulty property, many overlook the importance of having it inspected by a reputable team of home inspectors before sealing the deal. Below you will find a handy list of potential faults you must search for when viewing a property.
Is the property well insulated?
Why insulation? You must search for it because this particular home improvement is the most practical and cost-effective currently available on the market. Thus, it will transform any property in an energy efficient one, while the energy-related bills will decrease considerably. More than 50% of the energy used for either heating, either cooling our homes in wasted through small cracks and crevasses in the walls. In this case, there will be necessary a higher energy consumption to create a comfortable indoor living environment. A well-insulated property, ideally with spray-foam insulation, comes with several other advantages, as it follows:
- Increased levels of comfort.
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions, due to lower amounts of energy consumed.
- The owners will rely less on their HVAC systems.
- Smaller bills, due to the house’s capacity to preserve the indoor temperature for longer intervals.
- In many cases, great insulating products create a sound barrier as well.
Insulation should be present in all areas of the property, from the basement, to all the rooms and attic as well. This will create a barrier from the environmental conditions, and the home is more likely to preserve a desired temperature throughout the day. Search for insulation in these areas:
- Roofs and ceilings – a poorly insulated roof might lose up to 45% of the indoor energy.
- Water pipes – these could be insulated during a home remodel, if they are not already insulated.
- Floors – great energy savings have registered in properties where the floors were insulated.
- Walls – saving plenty of energy, wall insulation must fit certain requirements. Check with a professional if you are unsure regarding its quality. Great insulation will diminish the rates of heat exchange.
Search for water stains
Try to analyse the walls of the targeted property, since they can tell relevant aspects about it. If you notice water stains on them, this means somewhere inside the walls might be a water infiltration, which in many cases signals moulds’ presence. If you are unsure about this sign, take a general contractor with you in your next viewing and ask for their opinion. These issues are generally expensive to fix, and you’d better avoid such properties.
Does the building seem sturdy enough?
Make sure you pay attention to large cracks in the walls, since they can signal big structural issues, some of them difficult and expensive to repair. Search for them especially where extensions meet the main building: terraces, bay windows, and so on. If you are unsure of the relevance of the cracks that you are noticing, have a surveyor by and have your peace of mind.
Check for drainage systems
This factor is relevant, especially in multi-story buildings. Make sure that there are present small holes above and below the windows. They will allow water infiltrations in the external walls to drain, and they will prevent it from penetrating the internal walls, which might cause ongoing and reoccurring damage.
Is the plumbing system up to date?
Another thing you should pay attention to is the plumbing system. Run the taps and see if they are leaking, ask if the water pipes are insulated properly, how old is the system. These factors will paint you a clear idea if you should expect unfortunate events or further investments. Moreover, you should pay attention to the boiler, how old is it, and where the water tank is situated. If it is situated in on the roof, you most probably need to change it in the near future.
Pay attention to the neighborhood
See if the property’s location pleases you or if it could bring come disadvantages. If it’s situated near a pub or a club, the night-time noises might be too loud. Also, see where the closest store is situated from the house. Do you have to drive to it, or is it at a comfortable walking distance? Do you have easy access to the public transportation network? These all might influence your future experiences with your new property.
Make sure you don’t neglect these small details if you want to have a pleasing experience as a first-time homebuyer. They will save you from expensive further repairs and investments.
Contributed byhttp://www.gni.ca/
