As a first-time home buyer, a house probably is the most expensive purchase that you have ever made. This is such a long-term commitment, therefore the process can be very daunting and stressful. You want a home that is to every family member’s satisfaction and can be held as the family home for many years (if not forever).
Going in with knowing what to look for and what to avoid makes this process much easier and less stressful. You need to know where are the things that you cannot compromise and where has some wiggle room. The following checklist will give you some ease when you check out a house next time. You can also print a copy for each house. Take notes under each item while visiting for future comparison.
Basics
- All light switches
- Floor and windows
- Turn on faucets for water pressure check
- Visible wall crack check
- Natural lighting
- Electrical outlets locations and number
Living room
- The style that you can achieve in the space (modern, chic, warm, etc)
- Space for family
- Imagine the room without any pieces of furniture and see it objectively
- Wall for the TV and space for the couch
Bedroom
- Space and lighting
- Size of the closet
- Ceiling fan
- Bedroom floor plan
- Purpose for bedrooms
Bathroom
- Test shower head, faucets, toilet flush (with agent’s permission)
- Check the plumbing under the sink
- Look for signs of mold and water damage
- Look the quality of tub or shower stand materials
Kitchen
A good kitchen is always one of the priorities for gourmet cooks. The layout and space of the kitchen are usually even more important than the changeable appliances. If you like the layout of the kitchen but not appearance, you need to consider the amount of money needed for repainting, changing countertops, etc, comparing to the house price.
Some buyers have strong appliance layout preference. This could be a make-or-break factor for a house as well. For example, some people may prefer in-wall microwave and oven combo, while others like floor-standing range and oven combo. To change from one way to the other, a lot of construction has to be involved.
Garage
- Car spaces
- Possible storage space
- Driveway width, length, and slope
- Garage door and chain condition
- Garage gate opener
Basement
- Lighting
- Accessible door and window (for air circulation and emergency exiting)
- Growing mold and water damage mark
Attic
- Sign of leaking and damage
- Roof structure
- Animal dropping (sign of infestation)
PS: To better determine the condition of the attic, you might consider hiring a professional inspector with the required expertise. Judging attic condition is usually tricky.
Exterior
- Cracks on the walls
- Foundation condition
- Years of the roof
- Building materials
- Porch and deck maintenance
- Backyard size
- Fence condition and privacy level
- Pool or Spa
With this list in hand, you can be confident to go to more open houses and pick out your dream home! Contact Titan if you have any questions through the home buying process!