Don’t Fall in Love With the House Before You Check These Things
I know.
You walked in and immediately thought:
“This is it.”
The kitchen is beautiful.
The floors are gorgeous.
The furniture is perfect.
You can already see yourself living there.
Before you fall completely in love, take a breath.
There are some things worth checking.
The Location
Start outside the house.
How is the traffic?
What’s nearby?
How long is your commute?
What’s behind the property?
What’s next door?
What does the area look like at different times of day?
Remember:
You can change the house. You can’t change its location.
The Taxes
Don’t assume two homes with the same price will have the same property taxes.
Look at the actual tax information for the property and understand that taxes can change.
If taxes are important to your budget, this deserves attention before you make an offer.
The HOA
If there is an HOA, don’t stop at:
“It’s $75 a month.”
Ask what that fee covers.
Understand the rules.
Look at restrictions.
Find out about assessments when applicable.
Make sure you are comfortable with the obligations before buying into the community.
The Age and Condition of Major Components
Ask questions about things like:
- Roof
- Furnace
- Air conditioning
- Water heater
- Windows
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Appliances
You don’t need everything to be brand new.
You just want to understand what you’re buying.
The Layout
Don’t let beautiful finishes distract you from a layout that doesn’t work.
Ask:
Where will my furniture go?
Where will we store things?
How will we use this space every day?
Does this actually fit our lifestyle?
The Noise
Listen.
Really listen.
Traffic.
Neighbors.
Trains.
Airplanes.
Dogs.
Commercial activity.
Mechanical equipment.
You may be surprised by what you notice when the house is quiet.
The Yard and Surrounding Properties
Look beyond the property lines.
What’s next door?
What’s behind the house?
Is there vacant land nearby?
Is there construction?
Are there drainage concerns?
Is the backyard private?
What happens if the neighboring property changes?
You can’t predict everything.
But you can look.
Your Monthly Cost
Before getting emotionally attached, make sure you understand the financial picture.
Think about:
- Mortgage
- Property taxes
- Insurance
- HOA
- Mortgage insurance, if applicable
- Utilities
- Maintenance
The question isn’t simply:
“Can I buy this house?”
It’s:
“Can I comfortably own this house?”
And Then There Are the Inspections
A home inspection is an important part of the process, but it isn’t a guarantee that a house will never have problems.
The inspection is another opportunity to learn about the property and make informed decisions.
Depending on the property, additional inspections may also be appropriate.
The Bottom Line
I want you to love your home.
But before you fall in love with the house, make sure you’re paying attention to everything that comes with it.
Pretty kitchens are wonderful.
But they’re not the whole house.
And the house isn’t the whole purchase.
Look at the whole picture.
Have a Question?
Buying a home comes with a lot of questions. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Have a question about something you read here? Want to talk through your situation? Or just not sure what your next step should be?
I’m happy to help.
Schedule a Time to Talk With Karyn
No pressure. No obligation. Just straight answers.
Prefer to just send me a question?