House hunting can be an uphill task, especially if you are looking to move to a new city or even move across countries. Luckily, there are real estate agents who can help you find your dream home without your physical presence. After finding your new house, there are major things that you need to look out for before you move in. If there are any repairs required, it is advisable to do them before the move in day.
7 Things to Look Out for In a New House
Before giving a deposit for a new residence, make sure that you do thorough inspection of the house to ensure that you do not miss out on any major issues that may lead to serious problems in the future. Some of the major things to look out for include;
Check the Floors
Floor inspection is one of the ways in which you can tell if a house has major plumbing issues. Sagging floors near areas like the bathroom can indicate that there are plumbing shortcuts that were made. This is something that should not be ignored as with time you will notice that the problem will be more serious and might cost you a lot of money to repair.
One of the ways in which you can avoid such issues is by using high quality valves for plumbing to control the flow of water. You can get such valves from the best industrial valve manufacturer in your region.
Check the Roof
It is advisable that you should ask the owner of the house when the roof was installed. They might not always be honest with you so they should be willing to provide a document to back up their answer, such as a warranty. If you are still not certain, you can consult expert opinion just to be sure. Old roofs will need to be repaired and the cost of such repairs are usually too high.
Check the Walls
A crack in a wall is a sign that there are serious structural issues with the house. They can also indicate water leaks along the wall. This is an issue that should never be ignored especially if the cracks are very large and run from the top to the bottom of the wall. If possible, ask an architect to confirm if the house has any issues with the structure to avoid moving into a house that has a weak foundation.
Check the Electrical Works
This is not something you can be able to assess on your own, especially if you have no electrical knowledge. Ask an expert to do an inspection of things like electrical boxes to determine if they are properly installed and to check if there are any exposed wires. Electrical problems will mean that you will be prone to constant electrical repairs which will cost you a lot of money. They might also lead to major accidents such as fires caused by electrical failures.
Ask About the History
It is important to know the history of a house before you move in. Find out how many owners it has had in the previous decade to determine if there could be underlying issues with the house. Also, ask about the number of repairs that have been carried out in the house. This kind of information will help you in making your final decision about a house.
Check for Fresh Paint
It is a usual thing for a house to be painted before it is put on the market but at times paint is used to cover up some damages in the house. Some of the common problems covered by paint include mold which can be a serious concern in the long run. If possible, ask to view a house immediately it is vacated to be able to uncover any underlying issues.
Check the Neighbourhood
There are a number of things you need to consider about a neighborhood before you become a part of it. Check if there are any social amenities nearby such as a shopping mall, a hospital or a school. Avoid living near noisy places like pubs which play loud music late into the night. Find out if there are any security concerns in the neighborhood as this can be a serious problem for you. You can get such information by simply talking to the person living next door and taking a drive around the neighborhood.
Conclusion
When house hunting, do not ignore any red lights regarding a house. Remember that this is a place that you want to make home and it has to be ideal for you and your family. There are serious health concerns that arise from houses with issues such as mold and getting rid of such problems can cost you a fortune. If you are looking at living in a home on a sea dock, make sure that the area is safe from dangerous water creatures and the floating material in which the house is standing is strong enough.