Home is where you relax and recharge yourself to get the energy to do the things expected of you, from working to socializing. This means that it must be a safe and comfortable space for you and your family. Here are five tips to help ensure that you find the perfect house that you will be able to call home.
1. Check the Windows
Given that roughly 30% of the heating energy of a home is lost through the windows, this is one of the most important things you need to evaluate. Ensure that they’re modern and updated to the best standards if possible. If they’re not, make sure that this is a cost that you can pay to upgrade once you buy the home. Single-pane, drafty windows will make you spend a lot of money on energy, so either get home with double-pane windows or plan to upgrade to these when you buy the home of your dreams.
2. Make Sure the Roof is in a Good State
The roof is another part of the house that plays an important role. It’s also a potentially expensive part that will see you spend a lot of money if you decide to fix or replace it. Bearing this in mind, ensure that you buy a home with a solid roof on it. Find out how old it is and verify this so that you know how much more of its lifespan is left. Check it to ensure that it’s not warped, leaking, or otherwise destroyed as you will have to pay to fix it. As is the case with windows and everything else, make sure that if you have to fix or replace it, this extra cost will fit within your budget for the home.
3. Work with a Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents are often a very useful source of information, as 78% of recent home buyers found, according to the National Association of Realtors. This means that you stand to gain a lot by working with them when looking for your next home. They will likely have a lot of information on different homes that fit your specifications, making the search faster for you. They can also help you negotiate, and inform you of whether the price that you’re given for a home is too expensive a regular price or a bargain. In this way, you will be able to get a great home at a good price, and in record time to boot.
4. Get a House that’s the Right Size
Consider the needs of your family when shopping for a home. Don’t get a house that’s got lots of space and extra rooms while you’re a small family and you have no plans to grow it in the future. On the other hand, don’t get a home that’s going to be too small for your growing family. Think about the ideal number of rooms and amenities that will enable you to live safely and comfortably for as long as possible.
5. Pay for a Professional Inspection
Finally, it may seem a bit unnecessary for you to pay for an inspection, especially as the seller will likely have paid for one already. This is not the case, however, because you may unearth a lot more information with your own inspection that may have otherwise stayed hidden. Ensure that everything is up to your standards, both indoors and outdoors. This way, you will be fully satisfied that the home you got is worth the price you paid for it and will know about any major fixes that you need to do yourself.
Don’t leave anything to chance when shopping for a new home. If you would like paving to be of a certain material, for instance, you will find what you want if you’re patient. This could be asphalt, which, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the percentage that was reclaimed from old pavements and reused in 2019 was 94%. Put the tips above to use and you will be sure to find the perfect home for you and your family.
