Buying a house can be a huge undertaking especially if it is your first one. There are a lot of things to look for when buying a house. Some of us only rely on our real estate agents and hope they will do a good job.
Before you hand over everything to your agent, I want you to answer the following question. How do you know if you are getting the right house and there are no major issues associated with it? If you are interested in knowing things to look for when buying a house, have a seat and probably a cup of coffee too before you start reading any further!
If you are not active in the process of buying your own house, you could end up with a house that will cost you a ton of money down the road.
This is why we think that you need to have basics on what to look for in your house hunting adventure. Although, you may not have the same knowledge and experience as a real estate agent; at least you will know when to say stop if someone is selling you a disaster.
With you my mind, I have created a list of 74 things to look for when buying a house.
The article is divided into 4 main sections for your convenience. You can skip to any section from the links below.
Table of contents
C. Major and minor renovations
A. STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
1. Look for signs of a sinking foundation
A sinking foundation is one of the biggest problems to be addressed right away. A house will last longer if it is sitting on a solid foundation. If a house’s foundation is sinking it means the house is sinking. According to HomeAdvisor, the foundation sinks when it was improperly laid or when it is seating on unstable soil.
The following signs can help you notice a sinking foundation when buying a house
- Cracks on walls
- Uneven floor
- Cracks in the concrete
- Doors won’t close well
- Foundation upheaval
Repairing a sinking foundation is not an easy task. You must have the house inspected to know how bad the problem is. Without this information, you could end up paying a lot of money to fix the foundation and related issues.
2. Things to look for when buying a house: Check for uneven floor
There are many reasons that can cause an uneven floor in the house you are buying. It could be an error made when the house was being built especially for new homes.
On the other hand, an uneven floor can be a result of structural problems. For example, if some of the floor support joints are broken, the floor will become uneven. This is because the weight of the floor will shift to that area.
If you notice such a problem on the floor, have a structural engineer or a licensed professional look at the house before you buy it. It could be a minor fix or a big thing. You will know what you are dealing with after the inspection.
3. Look for flickering lights in the house.
Flickering lights are not a major issue in some instances. It could be a sign of loose electrical connections. Get a licensed electrician to look into it if the problem persists after replacing affected light bulbs.
4. Signs of external objects, shredded paper products, or holes in the house.
This could be a sign of mice in the house. Mice can dig through the house and make many holes everywhere. The damages will depend on how many mice living in the house and whether the house has been vacant for a while or not.
This problem can be fixed by using traps, closing entry points, using cats, baits, etc.
This is one of the many things to look for when buying a house especially if you are allergic to mice.
5. Look for moisture and humidity damages throughout the house
Although some home buyers and homeowners think there is no big deal with moisture and humidity, they can damage a house. Moisture in your house will create an environment for mold growth, bacteria, bad odor, insect infestations, etc.
Having too much or too little humidity and moisture in your house will be unhealthy for everyone in the family, according to ELITE mold services.
According to Sansone AC, the following are some of the signs of high humidity in the house.
- Mildew smell
- Rotting wood
- Getting sick from allergies that intensifies
- Presence of mold in the house
- Moist air
- Foggy windows
Never underestimate the damage from high humidity and moisture. It could be expensive to repair rotten wood and other structural problems associate with moisture and humidity.
If you are buying a house and notice some of these problems, have an experienced inspector to look at them. You will need to know whether the problem is throughout the house and how much damages it has caused. The inspector can also help you understand what it will take to repair all damages.
Do you get allergies from almost anything and don’t want to spend money on repairs that could be avoided? Then put humidity and moisture damages on things to look for when buying a house.
6. Things to look for when buying a house: Slow drainage around the house
Drainage can be a big problem if the landscaping is not done professionally. Rainwater from your roof, runoff from streets, neighbors, etc can accumulate in your yard. Without a method to get rid of this water, it may penetrate underground in your yard and end up in your basement or loosen the ground under your foundation.
You can tell if the house has a drainage problem if you see some of the following problems.
- Erosion on the property
- Standing water in the basement
- Drowned and dead grass or trees
- Presence of a lot of insects especially mosquitoes
This issue can cause structural problems in the house. If you see a house with a questionable landscape, do not assume that it is an easy fix. The house could have structural problems in the near future.
Get the landscaping company to inspect what went wrong during the landscaping and what it would take to fix it. Have structural inspectors check the house as well. The house may have problems already.
7. Peeling and loosening paint on the wall and ceiling
A leaky roof or a pipe is not obvious until it is too late. In other words, you cannot recognize a leaky roof on the same day when it happens. It will take time for the water to show on the ceiling and walls.
The following are some of the signs that the house you are buying has a leaky roof or a leaky pipe according to Harry Helmet, Bob Behrends Roofing & Gutters, and SonSine Roofing. Pay attention to these signs and many more when you are buying a house.
- Water drip on the ceiling or walls
- Moisture on the walls
- Moisture stain on the walls
- Spots on exterior walls
- Growing walls
- Missing Shingles
- Shingles that are curling
- You see debris in the downspouts
- You see a water stain on the ceiling
- Moisture and mold in the attic
- The attic does not ventilate properly
- A wet deck’s roof
- Rust and water around a stove pipe
- Defective flashing
- Mold and algae
- Damaged flashing
- Rotting roof
- Loss of granule
- Buckling Shingles
If you see one of these problems, you will know that the house you are buying has a possible roof leak. It could be something simple or a major problem depending on the severity of the damage. You may end up replacing the entire roof (which is expensive)
A leaky roof should be on your list of things to look for when buying a house. Pay attention to these signs when you see them.
You must have an inspection of the house before you finalize the deal. Depending on the results from the inspection, you may find reasons to renegotiate the offer or get out of the deal depending on your contingencies.
8. Things to look for when buying a house: Cracked window sills and lintels
If window lintels are cracked, it is an indication of the movement in the structure. According to ProTen Services, this crack shows that the lintel that supports the masonry above the window has failed. There are high chances of the collapse of the structure if this problem is not examined and fixed.
On the other hand, if the window sills are cracked it is an indication of water into the sill. How the water is getting in there will have to be examined and fixed.
If you see these problems on the property of your interest, have them inspected. There may be your deal breakers hiding within the walls.
9. Things to look for when buying a house: Bubbling toilet
When you see a bubbling toilet or a gurgling toilet when you flash the water, pay attention to it. This is an indication that there is a plumbing problem in the house. It could be something simple to fix. However, there is a possibility that the problem could be a major one that can cost you hundreds of dollars or more.
Having a plumber to assess the severity of the problem would be a great idea.
10. Look for hard to close windows and doors
The main cause of this structural problem is the shift of the ground underneath the foundation. The soil under the concrete slabs can expand due to moisture and lift the slab or creates an uneven surface of the foundation.
This will create dis-proportionality in the weight of the house. Therefore, some doors and windows may not fit.
If you see this problem, have it inspected. There might be more structural problems associated with this issue. It is possible that the problem will be simple and easy to fix You never know.
11. Things to look for when buying a house: Look for rotten wood and timber
Modern construction uses advanced methods to increase the lifetime of beans, timber, and other wooden material throughout the house. It is almost impossible for wood to decay just like that in a house without the presence of external elements. Water and the presence of moisture are elements to blame for rotting wood.
According to weathertightcorp and midwestern termite & pest control, the main causes of wood rot are the presence of moisture or water. After a plumbing leak, flood, leaky roof, etc, the wood can start rotting. The following are some of the characteristics of wood rot in a house, according to TROTTA’s Power Washing.
- The wood will be damaged
- The presence of fungal growth and spores
- Musty smells and spores
- Presence of mold
- Excessive moisture around the affected area
- Presence of termites and other wood-eating insects such as ants, etc.
This problem should be one of the main things you look for when buying a house. Get the house inspected before you finalize the deal if you notice rotten wood. The problem may be much worse than anticipated. It can cost you a lot of money in the long run.
12. Check for water damages
Houses in flood areas often have water damages. Water damages can also occur due to a broken pipe. According to Smdynamic, the following are signs of water.
- Flaking or cracking drywall
- A sudden increase in utility bills
- A sudden feeling of humidity and dampness in the house
- Puddles and drips, wets spots, around the sink, pipes, etc
- Wet or dark spots on walls and ceiling
- Presence of running water when fixtures are off
These issues could be simple and meaningless. Unless you have them inspected, it is difficult to know the damage they have caused in the house. A simple stain on the wall, ceiling, or basement can have you renovated half of the house. To avoid major expenses on the property, you need to have the property inspected by licensed personnel before paying a dime.
13. Check for cracked walls (exterior and interior)
Cracked walls could be a big or a small problem. It is hard to know the severity of house cracks until the property is inspected by licensed structural personnel.
Do not just buy a house with cracks because it is cute and you think your kids, cats, and dogs will like playing in its yard. According to Edens Structural Solutions, there are many causes of cracks in the house. The following are some of these causes.
- Cracking due to a newly constructed houses
- Faulty taping of drywall
- Water damages especially when cracks have discoloration of brownish or yellow tented stains
- House could be settling. After a house is built, it will settle over time due to things hardening, movements of soil under the foundation, etc.
- Damaged foundation. If the house’s foundation gets damaged, it will not offer enough support to the house. Depending on the location of the damage, the concrete will no longer support the weight of the house. As a result, the house will start sinking unevenly which will result in a crack.
- The house is no longer occupied. Vacant homes tend to have an unregulated climate condition. When you live in a house, you tend to keep the temperature and humidity constant. This helps drywall to stay in good shape. Without occupying the house over the winter, for example, the ground may freeze and expand which will result in a house cracking.
Cracked walls do not imply a disaster all the time. However, if you are buying a house with cracks; you must have the house inspected. It is possible that these cracks could cost you a lot of money.
14. Damaged, cracked, leaning chimney
When you are buying a house with a chimney, it is important to inspect the chimney. If the chimney is cracked, pulling away from the house(depending on where it is located), or leaning in a particular direction; you may be facing foundation problems.
According to bob vila, chimneys are built on concrete footing or chimney pads to keep them from sinking. The following are the reasons the footing can fail.
- Poor soil
- The footing that is not thick enough
- The footing of the wrong size
- No footing
- The footing that got damaged over time
Should you end up buying a house with a chimney? Pay enough attention to it. You may discover a lot about the house from the chimney alone. If the chimney pad was not well designed, the house may have the same problem.
15. Things to look for when buying a house: Check mold smells
It is difficult to know the actual cause of mold smell in a house. The smell can come from cigarettes, uncleanness of the house, water damage, etc.
According to Aireserv, a damaged roof, leaky pipes, humidity, and exposed dirt in the crawlspace can contribute to the increase in the moisture in the house. The moisture can cause mold in a house.
If the house has mold, you will need to investigate the cause of it. It may be something simple or big depending on the cause of it. For example, if a leaky pipe has been putting water in the wall for a while, you will spend a lot of money to fix the problem.
16. The stationary brick wall that is detaching from the house
Many houses are usually surrounded by brick walls. Not only these walls can protect you from external elements, but they can tell you if your house or the one you are interested in has structural problems.
If the foundation is pulling away from the house, the foundation may be settling on the opposite side.
A slight difference in the foundation level will create an imbalance in the distribution of the weight of the house. As a result, the house weight will shift to the lower level of the foundation.
You will need to consult with licensed personnel to make sure that the house is safe and OK before you buy it.
Inspection can help you detect these problems and you can use an appraisal value based on these new findings. Learn more about why you need a house inspection before you pay a dime.
17. Crumbling concrete poles inside or outside the house
The moisture and chemical reactions are to blame for scrambling concrete on any structure. Salt and chlorides form chemical reactions with concrete and steel. As a result, bonds between concrete are weakened.
This weakness results in the expansion of concrete and corrosion of steel. After a long time, concrete will start to crumble.
18. Things to look for when buying a house: Look for termites damages
Termites do destroy houses slow by slow. They chew on beams, joins, even dig in foundations. For this reason, terminates damages should be one of the things to look for when buying a house. Should you see any sign of termites damage? Get a termite specialist to inspect the property.
According to ORKIN, the following are signs of termite activities in the house.
- Hollow sounding wood when you tap on them
- Tiny, pinpoint holes in the wall and drywall
- Squeaky floor
- Wood that is damaged and falling apart
- Doors and windows that no longer closes well and sometimes stuck
- Patterns in the floorboards and furniture
- Swarms of flying termites in or around the house
- Mud tubes on walls, foundations or anywhere on the property
- Dry wood termite pellets mound anywhere on the house
- Paint that is peeling off and looks like water damages
- Tiles that no longer fit. Once ground under tiles is eaten by termites, tiles will start shifting.
If you spot some of these problems or others that are not discussed here, have the house inspected. Termites damages can be catastrophic if they are not contained. You do not want to pay a ton of money on top of your mortgage.
Learn more about why you should have a house inspected before you buy it.
19. Cabinets and counters detaching from the wall.
If you notice cabinets and countertops that are pulling away from the wall, it may be a sign of foundation problems. A foundation that is no longer even will create uneven surfaces throughout the house.
This will unevenly distribute the weight of the house. As a result, you will notice uneven surfaces on the floor and built-ins will start shifting away from the wall.
If you see this problem while buying a house, you must get it inspected. You can use findings from the inspection to renegotiate the price of the house.
Problems like these are the reasons you need contingencies when buying a property. You need a reason to walk away from the deal if you have to.
20. Crawl space foundation cracks
Your house will shift and settle into position over time, according to the crawlspace company. Factors that are involved in house settlement including but are not limited to concrete hardening, poor soil conditions, moisture content, changing seasons, etc.
All these issues can put stress on the crawlspace and eventually crack it. These cracks will have many sizes and forms.
If you see crawlspace foundation cracks, give them more attention. The house could have more damage than you think.
21. Be aware of the patio, stairs, porch that are pulling away from the main house
These are common problems in many houses. Stairs and patio sometimes pull away from the main house. If you see this problem, do not underestimate it. The house you want to buy could be a disaster waiting to happen.
These issues are usually a result of a foundation that is settling on the opposite side of the house from where the problem is happening.
This issue will create an uneven surface. Thus, shifting the house to the opposite side. Since the patio, porch, stairs are not part of the main house, they will be left behind when the weight of the house shift to the opposite side.
22. Gaps in doors and window frames
Over time, there will be small gaps around the doors and window frames. These gaps are a result of what is called wrapping.
They may mean that both sides of the house are settling in the opposite direction. This process ends up pulling away from both sides of the house, as a result, you end up with gaps in door and window frames.
You need to get a professional inspector to check the house before you finalize the deal. If you are getting a house inspection, which is recommended for all home buyers, he may find the issue and give you his recommendations.
23. Things to look for when buying a house: Pay attention to bowed walls
Bowed walls are structural failures common in underground homes and basements. They can also occur on the surface level if the house is not well designed.
This failure is due to excessive lateral pressure from the surrounding soil.
For example, the soil surrounding the basement can shift and increase its pressure on the basement wall. This pressure together with the pressure from the house will affect the structure of the basement.
The house pressure will push downward whereas the surrounding pressure will push the basement wall inward. These actions will cause the basement to bow inward. You must put this problem on things to look for when buying a house to avoid paying for a house that is caving in.
If you are buying a house and see this defect, you must consider getting the house’s structural integrity checked to assess the damage from this issue before you buy the house.
24. Gaps between the floor and walls
When there are small or big gaps between walls and the floor it is an indication of problems related to the house settlement. No matter the size, these types of cracks show a very big problem that needs immediate attention.
They usually happen due to house wrapping. If your house sides move in the opposite direction or one side moves but the other one does not.
The tension between both sides will create internal structural damage. As a result, the house will start cracking.
B. LOCATION
25. Things to look for when buying a house: Schools zone matters
When it comes to location, schools play a very important role in the desirability of the house. You know that none wants to drive 1 hour or more to reach a good elementary school for their kids.
Also, once you buy a house, you are stuck with the location it is in. If you are far away from school, you cannot change it. You cannot also change what school district your house is in. The only thing you can do is sell it and buy another one.
For these reasons, when you are buying a house, you must pay attention to the following:
- Is the house in a good school district?
- How far is the house to the best preschool, elementary school, high school, or college if there is any?
- What outdoor school-related activities such as soccer field, and other games are there close to the house?
If the house you are buying checks most or all these boxes, then you are buying a house in a good school area. Furthermore, If you have children or will have them in the future, put school location on things to look for when you buying a house.
Should you end up in a house that is far away from schools? Your house’s value could go down over time. Unless some major developments take a place in the area, you could be throwing your money away.
26. Pubic transportation (buses, trains, etc)
Do you have a car? Even if you have a car it does not mean that everyone has one. You need to look at the future of your house after you no longer need it. Do you what to make or lose money on the house?
Having a house that is close to public transportation such as a bus, trains, etc, will increase the value of your house.
You will attract potential buyers of all kinds. Those who rely on public transportation will bid to own your house when you decide to sell it.
If you buy a house in the middle of nowhere, you will only attract those who want to be isolated. We both know that those are not many especially in this century.
Areas without access to public transportation tend to lose value. None want to travel miles on foot to catch a bus.
On the other hand, properties that have access to public transportation increase in value over time.
For these reasons, you should always approach buying a house as an investment. Buy a house that will appreciate over time. Always remember that assets that never appreciate depreciate over time. In other words, they are liabilities.
A good location should on the things you should look for when buying a house.
Note: Although access to public transportation is good for your house, you must avoid locations near the airport. Airport noises push potential buyers away. Not everyone works at the airport. Also, being too close to a train, for example, will push your potential customers away due to noise.
27. Locations where a lot of houses are on sale
It could be a good opportunity to find a good house in a cheap neighborhood. However, you must do your homework about real estate activities in the location you are buying in.
If many people are selling their houses in those locations, there could be something going on that you are not aware of yet.
You don’t want to buy in a location that none wants to live in. Stay away from these locations.
28. High industrial activities are not always good
Industrial development means that there are jobs for many people. You could end up working there. No big deal.
It also means that ten years down the road, you will find a buyer or tenants easily. That is another added bonus.
However, you don’t want to live too close to industrial settlements. Some of them are hazardous to people. You don’t know what will happen to a chemical plant that is next door five years from now.
Locations with industrial activities have a lot of gas stations, shops, and other chemicals which can sometimes be bad for a residential area. The air quality is usually low. These locations are not ideal for many home buyers. You should avoid them.
Buying away from industrial plants keeps you at a safer distance if something bad happens to one of the manufacturing plants in the area. It also gives you a chance to find a buyer in the future when you need a buyer.
29. Do not buy in locations where neighboring houses are not taken care of.
It is possible that you can find gold in the mud. I just made that up.
An overgrown neighborhood can tell you what the location is about. If you guessed lazy people, who don’t care about their properties, are not responsible, etc. you are right.
If you want to buy a house and the streets and surrounding properties are overgrown, it could be an indication that you are in a very bad class location. Learn more about property location classes.
Should fire pops up from nowhere down the road? Your house could be burned too because of your surrounding environment.
I am not saying that you cannot buy a house in a beat-up neighborhood. However, you must be careful. It is not just income inequality or related issues. If people in a beat-up location where you want to buy a house don’t care, you don’t need to care either.
Stay away from these locations. It could make sense to pay a little bit of money to buy a house in a good neighborhood than paying less in a beat-up location.
You can lose all of it in a blink of an eye.
30. Locations where business are living
We are going to analyze the relationship between empty stores, restaurants, etc., and the value of houses in that location.
Let’s say that you are in a middle-income location where people work blue-collar jobs. Over time, the purchasing power of your dollars will decrease. That means that inflation keeked in and you can no longer afford everything at the same price you used to pay a few years ago.
What do you think will happen? You will start paying less and less on things you don’t need until you can no longer afford them. You will learn how to cook and buy fewer clothes, gadgets, etc.
This means that your disposable income was reduced to almost zero.
What do you think will happen to businesses you used to go to?
They will start making less and less money because you and people like you can no longer afford their products. So, they will start closing their shops and restaurants one by one.
Less business in the area will reduce rental property investors, housing development, and public infrastructure. As a result, the housing market in that area will plummet.
If you are buying a house, you should avoid locations where businesses are closing. You don’t want to end up in a ghost town ten years down the road.
31. Locations where schools are having less enrollment
You may be wondering, what do school enrollments have to do with me? You will be surprised by how important enrollment is in your location.
A shrinking enrollment can signal a lot of red flags in the area. The following are a few causes of less enrollment in the area.
- Quality and satisfaction issues
- Environment issues
- Lack of enrollment and marketing plan
- Staffing issues
- Ineffective leadership
- Migration of the people from the area
You can see that enrollment can tell you a lot in the area. You will need to understand possible reasons the location has low enrollment. If it is a temporary reason, you could still buy the house from there.
However, if it is something big, you may want to stay away. For example, if people are leaving the location, you could end up in an uninhabited area and your property value will decrease over time.
32. Things to look for when buying a house: Avoid locations with limited parking
It is possible that some areas will have little to no parting spots. You can make your own choice based on your needs. However, if your property cannot accommodate all your cars and you cannot park on the street, this could turn into a giant problem later.
33. Locations with less housing development
Some of us hate locations with more development. We think there is a lot of noise that we cannot stand for a long time.
Why do property developers make you money? Why should you invest where property developers are investing?
To answer these questions, we need to understand the effect of property development in a location.
When investors are building more houses in a location, the prices of every real estate in that area increases. More housing means that more people and businesses are coming to the area. This change increases property values in the area.
If you are buying a house, you must pay attention to what is going on in the area. If investors are putting money into developing more properties in the area, it may be a sign that your property will appreciate over time.
On the other hand, if there is nothing going on in your location, the house you want to buy could depreciate over time. Without further development, neighborhoods get old and houses lose value. For this reason, put housing development on a list of things to look for when buying a house.
34. Stay away from high crime area
By default, none wants to live in high-crime areas. The funny thing is that we all see ourselves in those locations. Is it because we do not do our homework? Is it because we cannot afford a good location?
The truth is that many of us do not do our homework. We think our real estate agent will do everything for us. As a result, we end up in beat-up neighborhoods.
The crime rate is one of the most factors that determine whether you will be able to sell your house later or not. High-crime areas push away potential buyers. On the other hand, low-crime areas attract more buyers.
None wants to raise their children in a war zone. If you want to buy a good house that will keep its value or increase over time, you need to stay away from high crime rate locations. Put location on things to look for when buying a house and you will not be disappointed.
35. Check if there improvements going on.
There are locations that are completely done with no room for further improvement. However, just because no more development can be done in the area, it does not mean that people cannot renovate their homes.
If you want to buy a house and see that none wants to renovate their houses it will be a sign that none wants to spend money on their houses.
Why would people avoid spending money on their houses? Because they know they cannot make it back.
You don’t want to buy a house in a location where none wants to spend a penny on their houses. It could be a sign that houses are losing value fast.
36. The daytime vibe in the location you are interested in?
You should invest in a friendly neighborhood. You can tell how friendly they are based on what people do during the day. If people are outside, talking, biking, and walking, it could be a sign of a friendly location. Also, locations with many parks and recreational activities are ideal for many people.
If there are no outdoor activities during the daytime, it could indicate a bad neighborhood. Or maybe people work so much that none is available during the day! It is up to you to find out.
37. Things to look for when buying a house: What happens after dark?
You also need to know activities that take place in the dark. I mean during the night. Does the neighborhood become alive after dark? Are there drug dealers and addicts running on the streets? Are people shooting each other?
You need to stay away from locations with these activities. They are not safe for those who live there and it will be the same once you add your name to the list.
38. Locations where schools have low test scores
Again this has something to do with the quality of education in a location and where they stand compared to the national average.
There are many reasons students will perform badly in that location. The following are some of those reasons that will influence the performance of students.
- Lack of leadership
- Schools don’t have qualified teachers
- High level of poverty in the area
- No access to labs, books, and related materials
- etc.
The performance of your own children will follow the same trend. If kids in the neighborhood are not performing well, what makes you think that yours will come out differently? This is why test scores could be one of the things to look for when buying a house.
Always know that the performance of students in a particular area can sometimes help you know the quality of that location.
39. Can you live in that location for many years
Do you see yourself living in that location for a long time? I mean a lifetime. There are times when we buy houses because they look nice and forget to answer the most important question. How long can we see ourselves living in that location?
Why would you buy a house in a location you don’t want to settle in? Keep this in mind when shopping for a house.
40. Check If People are proud to own properties in that location
Are the people in the area glad they own homes there? Would they make the same decision if they had to start over?
If they are happy owing in that location, you will probably be happy as well.
On the other hand, you need to run if homeowners tell you they regret buying houses there. You don’t want to walk in their footsteps.
41. Is it easy to sell houses in that location?
You can know the quality of the neighborhood by how long houses stay on the market. For example, if many people are willing to buy houses in that location, it will be a positive thing.
Bad locations usually lack buyers. If you see many houses that have been sitting on the market for a very long time, stay away.
You can get this information from listing websites such as Zillow, Realtor, Trulia, and many more. Also, local listing companies may have more information regarding properties in that location. Do your homework and find out why houses are not selling in that location.
42. Things to look for when buying a house: Look for good city services
How effective is the city when it comes to doing its part? Does the city clear snow from roads on time or do you wait for weeks? If a bridge or a road is damaged, how long does it take to fix them? It is important to know if the city is capable of handling these services on time.
43. Is the house close to insurance services, hospitals, etc.
You don’t necessarily need to live by the hospital or an insurance provider. However, you don’t want to live in a city or a location that does not have these services.
Do you want to drive for 2 hours to get to the hospital or to the insurance office? You are the one to answer this question. I do encourage you to make this one of the things to look for when buying a house, especially a hospital.
Although we don’t use these services every day, how far they are from your location can make a difference between life and death.
44. Check if the location has a fire station and police presence
Your security and safety should be your priority when house hunting. The presence of the fire department will ensure that your house will not burn completely to ashes. Also, the presence of the police department will reduce the chances of robbery, violence on the streets, etc.
Keep in mind that a lot of police in the area may not necessarily mean a good thing. If the crime level in the area is high, there may be a lot of police presence. You need to educate yourself about the location where you are buying a house.
45. Do homes in the area tend to keep or lose value over time?
This is one of the most important things to evaluate. Whether you are an investor or not, you need your house to appreciate over time. Appreciation is one of many benefits of owning a house. If your house is not appreciating, it is losing money. Always make appreciation one of the top things to look for when buying a house.
If homes in that location do not increase in value, you are probably not supposed to be looking at a house there.
46. Infrastructure outlook in the area
To be honest, this one is hard to see. It depends on the current trend of business, the inflow of people, etc. Cities expand infrastructure based on these elements and many more. You need to know if the city will be expanding infrastructure in the area or if they will be moving on the other side of the city.
If new construction projects such as roads, hospitals, bridges, office complexes, etc are moving far from your location; your house could lose its value. I mean, houses in your location will lose their value.
47. Are roads in that location broken with a bunch of potholes?
Potholes are an indication of forgotten or ignored roads. In order words, the city transportation department focuses its attention on the most important roads. If the road that goes to your location has potholes that seem to have been there for a while, the road is not a priority.
In other words, your location is not a priority. The city loses nothing by not fixing roads in that location.
You don’t want to live in locations with no new infrastructure, the ones you have are not repaired on time, or never get repaired at all.
48. Home Owner Association (HOA) locations
Home Owner Association (HOA) could be beneficial depending on the reasons you are buying a house and how busy you are. The HOA takes care of many activities such as landscaping, snow removal, and recreational services such as a pool, gym, etc.
You must understand that you will pay the HOA fee every month to take care of these activities. Depending on the location and amenities provided by the HOA, you can expect to pay a few hundreds of dollars to thousands. This is one of the most important things to look for when buying a house.
Do you think you will be able to handle this fee on top of your mortgage? Or are you interested in services included in the association program? You will be the one to answer these questions based on your budget and your priorities in the new house.
C. MAJOR AND MINOR RENOVATIONS
49. Landscaping
Landscaping could be important to you. If the house you are interested in does not have proper landscaping, you will end up paying extra money to fix the problem. Maybe the house does not have enough privacy you need for your family.
This issue can be fixed by planting trees or putting on a fence. You will be paying for all these services. You need to decide ahead of time if this is something you are willing to do. Do you have enough time and money to build a fence?
Maybe it is better to buy a house with proper landscaping from the beginning.
50. Things to look for when buying a house: Kitchen
Are you buying an old house that is falling apart due to a small budget? It is possible that we can fall in love with a house without a renovated kitchen.
If the house you are buying is old with a kitchen that is falling apart, you must understand that remodeling will cost you thousands of dollars. Is this something you are willing to do? Do you have the money and time for this investment? This is why knowing the current condition of the kitchen should be one of the things to look for when buying a house.
You need to answer these questions before you buy a house with an outdated kitchen.
51. Bathroom
The bathroom may not be something you care about. However, an outdated bathroom without enough countertops or a room to move around will cause issues in your family. Does the house have enough space in the bathrooms?
Do you need to remodel bathrooms in the house you are buying? Are the bathrooms falling apart because they are too old? If so, you are in for an expensive project.
Is your budget going to cover all these projects? Are you going to be broke by doing it? These are important questions you need to ask yourselves about bathrooms in your new house.
52. Things to look for when buying a house: Deck and Patio
You need to know the current condition of the patio and deck of the house you are about to buy.
Are the deck’s woods rotting or damaged by termites or rain?
If the patio and deck need renovations, you will need to answer the following questions.
How much will it cost to renovate the patio or deck?
Is it something I can do myself?
How long will it take
How much will it cost?
Do I have money for it?
Can it wait?
If you proceed without knowing the answers to these questions, you may have to pay a lot to fix them in the future.
53. Basement
For many of us, a basement is a place where we put things we don’t use very often such as laundry, play toys, etc. Whatever you use your basement for, you need to know whether the house you are buying has a renovated basement and its current conditions.
Is the basement finished? Most houses have unfinished basements. Can you deal with an unfinished basement in a bad shape? Do you want to remodel the basement and make it a playground for your children, movie, etc? How much is it going to cost you if you choose to remodel the basement? Is the house going to appreciate a lot by renovating the basement?
It is also important to know if it is worth the hustle to renovate the basement. If you are not gaining an added value from this renovation, why would you do it?
You need answers to these questions before you buy the house. It is possible to buy a house thinking that the basement is not a big deal and later realize that you have made a mistake. You don’t want to renovate a basement with money you don’t have.
Make the basement condition a priority on your list of things to look for when buying a house.
54. Replacing windows and doors
windows and doors are not super expensive depending on how you want them done and their types. However, you need to know if the house you are buying needs windows and doors replaced. You don’t want to notice this project after moving into a house.
55. Things to look for when buying a house: Roof replacement
If you are buying a fixer-upper, you need to check the roof before finalizing the deal. It is expensive to replace a roof. Without a proper budget for this project, you may not finish it. You could end up taking another loan on top of your mortgage.
56. Electrical system updates
Electrical System is one of the most expensive projects you can do at your house. You will probably not be the one crawling in the attic to inspect the quality of the house’s electrical system. You will know this information through house inspection. However, you are the one to pay for it, if it needs a replacement.
If the house you are interested in has an outdated electrical system, you may need to reconsider your decision of buying the house. If you are OK with the renovation of the property, you need to make sure that your budget will cover this renovation.
One mistake many home-buyers make is not having home inspections or underestimate the cost for an electrical systems upgrade. They just fall in love with the house and worry about these upgrades later. They end up paying a ton of money. This is why the electrical system should be a priority on your list of things to look for when buying a house.
Learn more about the benefits of house inspections for home-buyers.
57. Plumbing system updates
This is another big project to pay attention to. Never underestimate the cost of renovation of a plumbing system especially on older homes. The whole system could be outdated and no longer fits the current regulations. Pipes could be smaller or bigger than current standards. For these reasons, you need to keep plumbing and related issues among things to look for when buying a house.
Because of this issue, you may end up replacing the entire plumbing system in the house which will cost you a lot of money. When house hunting, make sure that these problems are addressed as well. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework.
58. Things to look for when buying a house: Ceiling
People have different preferences for ceilings. There are those who, for example, hate popcorn ceilings. If you know this is a problem for you, do not buy a house with a popcorn ceiling until you have a budget and time to replace it. You don’t want to buy a house now thinking that you like it and hate it five months later.
59. Bedroom and closet
Your bedroom is a place where you will spend most of your time in the house. For this reason, it has to be big and comfortable enough. If you don’t like the bedroom size and design, you may want to renovate it later. This could be expensive depending on the layout of the house.
Even if the bedroom is good enough, you need to have a closet that reflects your desires. You don’t want to buy a house with a smaller closet compared to your clothes, shoes, etc. you have. If you can’t fit your stuff in the closet right now, they will not fit in the future. Consider getting a different house if the bedroom and closet do not fit your needs.
60. Is there a fence or you need to build one?
Do you like privacy? One way many homeowners increase their privacy is through the use of fancies. Building a fence can be expensive depending on materials, location, size of the lot, etc.
If the house you are buying does not have enough privacy, find another house. You can also plant trees to increase the privacy of the house. However, it will take a lot of years for these trees to grow.
Should you choose to buy a house without a fence or privacy? You must make peace with this matter. Decide whether privacy is that important to you or if you need to compromise based on your current living and financial conditions.
Do you have children or dogs that will be using your yard? If so, you may need a fenced yard for privacy and to keep them on the property. This will also increase their safety from external animals such as raccoons, deers, tiger, coyotes, bears, etc. based on where you live.
61. Are you going to paint the house
Painting a house is not a complicated process and you can do it yourself without a contractor. However, you will buy the paint and spend a lot of hours painting the house.
If you are busy and have no time to do the job or hire a painter, do not fall for houses with undesirable colors. You will hate the house before your move-in date.
62. Things to look for when buying a house: Heating and cooling
If the heating and cooling systems in the house you are buying are outdated or not functional at all, you may need to reconsider your offer. It will cost you a lot of money to renovate them.
Buy a house that is up to date with every system working property. This will protect you from getting multiple mortgages if you end up fixing them.
D. SPACE FOR YOUR FAMILY
63. A good size kitchen
Is the kitchen big enough? Having a big kitchen helps a lot. You can have your children sitting around the kitchen island while you are making them meals.
If the kitchen island you have can only fit two children at the moment, you will need to update the kitchen in the future. You need to know this ahead of time. You can stay in that house only if the kitchen space and functionality can serve you and your family as long as possible.
Are you a good cook and have a lot of pots and utensils? If so, you will need a lot of storage. This is why the kitchen size should be on your list of things to look for when buying a house.
64. Is the living room going to accommodate everyone
Are you going to buy a house without enough living room for your family? I don’t think so. If you are not into the renovation, you need a house that has everything you need.
A good size living room for your family is important. This is where you gather and spend time with everyone in the family.
You should also consider future family options when judging the size of the living room. Maybe you are planning to have more kids and expand your family. Is the living room going to be enough after a family expansion?
If the answer is no, the house may not be a good fit for your family. You can either find another house with a large living room area or renovate the house when the time comes.
This is why a living room should of one of the main things to look for when buying a house.
65. Is there enough closet?
You will need enough closets to accommodate all of your clothes. Otherwise, your clothes will stay packed in boxes. Is the closet important for you? If so, you need to make sure that the house you are buying has enough closets for your belongings.
You may find yourself in endless renovations if you choose a house without enough closets space.
66. Are bedrooms large enough
The closet goes together with the bedroom. The bedroom will need to fit your taste and is large enough for you. Can you compromise on the size of the bedroom? If so, for how long? These questions will help you know if the house is right for you and your family.
You may for in love with a new house because it is in a good location. However, if it does not have enough space in the bedroom and closet; you will end up moving things around.
67. Enough number of bedrooms
Many homeowners move not because they hate their locations. Instead, because they run out of bedrooms for their families.
For example, they start with a one-bedroom and one-bath as a couple. Five years later, the family is no longer two people. The family grew to 5 people. The house has grown smaller and smaller to a level where they can no longer fit in it.
Well, it is time to move. If you can afford it, buy a house with enough bedrooms for your future conditions, instead of current conditions. This will keep you in the location you love without having to worry about moving.
Again, this is an important thing to look for when buying a house.
68. Things to look for when buying a house: The number of bathrooms
The number of bathrooms can determine whether you renovate the house or take the house hunting route again. I don’t think you will like moving every five years.
If you want to save yourself from the headaches of buying houses, you need to buy a house with enough bathrooms for your family.
For example, let say that you have 3 little girls. Two bedrooms and two baths sound ideal for your family if they can share one bedroom and a bath. What do you think will happen 10 years from now?
They will want their own rooms and bathrooms. That means the two bedrooms and two bathrooms will no longer fit the family. We both know that 1B1B will not be enough for three teenagers. They will have their own makeup, clothes, etc. For this reason, you will need to renovate the house or move to a different location.
Did you have enough money when you first bought this house? If so, you could have bought a house that will fit your family in the future. You could have bought a house with four bedrooms or more.
If you are interested in things to look for when buying a house, pay attention to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the house. Evaluate the house based on future conditions, not current conditions.
69. Does the house have a patio or a deck?
If a patio or a deck is important for you, do not comprise it. You may end up building one in the future. Patio and decks can be expensive depending on their size and materials.
If you don’t want to pay a fortune in the future, buy a house with a patio. If this is not your deal-breaker, you can build your own at your convenience.
70. Does the house have a yard and how big is it?
Do you have kids, animals, or are interested in gardening? You will need a big size yard. Your kids, dogs, cats, etc. will need a place to play. Having a big yard will be a good choice for your family.
However, if you don’t have pets and you are a busy family; having a big yard may not be a good choice for you.
Everything will depend on your current and future situations. Just remember that it is a good idea to have a yard whether you intend on using it or not. You never know what the future holds for you.
The yard can increase the future value of the house. This is why a yard should be one of the most important things to look for when buying a house.
71. Things to look for when buying a house: Is there a pool or not?
Pools are fantastic depending on who you ask. Some people see pools as great places for entertainment. Others, see pools as financial and physical burdens.
All of them are right. If you have a big family that likes swimming and outdoor activities, a pool will be ideal. However, if your family is not interested in any of these activities, the swimming pool will be a burden.
It takes a lot of money, resources, and time to maintain a pool
If you need a pool, buy a house with a pool. Pools are very expensive to build and they take a lot of time. You don’t want to buy a house without a pool and later realize that it is a priority especially for those who live in a hot climate such as Florida, Arizona, California, etc.
On the other hand, if you don’t need a pool at all; do not buy a house with a pool. This is how you will keep money in your pocket and protects yourself from frustrations.
72. Enough storage for all of your stuff
If you have a ton of stuff, you probably need to have a house with enough storage. You could use self-storage services. However, your house will not be that important if you are paying extra money to have your stuff stored somewhere else.
Find a house that has enough storage for all your family’s belongings.
73. Things to look for when buying a house: Playroom for your kids
Your kids and pets will still play even in the winter. You cannot have them play outside in brutally cold winter. This is why having enough room for them to play in a house is crucial.
Does the house you are buying have enough room for your children to play in? If not you could be looking at the wrong house. Of course, you don’t need to worry about a playroom if you don’t have children or planning to have them.
However, a playroom should be one of the many things to look for when buying a house especially when you have children.
74. The number of levels in the house
This is another important factor to consider especially for older couples. When we get old, we tend to lose stability and strength. This means that it will be difficult for us to own multilevel houses. It is not easy to go upstairs when you are 80 years old.
If you are an old couple, a ranch and other single-level designs may be good for you.
You could also buy houses with multilevel as long as your master bedroom and other essentials are on the main level. Please, make this a top priority on things you will be looking for when buying a house.
Do not fall for houses that are not reliable for your current living conditions. If you are planning to have your grandmother, mother, father, or kids with special needs, make that a priority. Buy a house based on how practical it will be for them.
Final Words
There are a lot of things to look for when buying a house and they cannot be covered in one article. In addition, people have different priorities when it comes to what they want from a house. The reason you are moving is probably different from another homebuyer.
Also, there is no perfect house on the market. For this reason, it is important to compromise on priorities when you have to.
We hope that our article will help you find a house that best fits your family’s needs.
Happy house hunting!
