Things you should always check when buying a house

When viewing a property and then going on to commit to buying it there are certain things that you should pay attention to and checks that go along with it too.

It’s certainly not like buying something and being able to return it. People can fall into the trap of falling in love with a property and then moving too quickly before getting all the relevant checks done.

One of the things you should consider when buying a house is checking the plumbing and everything that comes with it. In case you need to buy a new boiler, combi boilers are recommended. Combi boilers prices may vary by their characteristics (size, shape, look, output, etc…), so you must not just buy the first combi boiler you see, you need to compare the prices and then you can choose the perfect one for your new home.

Have a look here at the things you should always be checking when buying a home: 

Is there any damp

This isn’t something that anyone wants to see but often it can be the case that sellers have painted over damp possibly to try and cover any damp. Damp can sometimes be no problem too but it can also indicate other major problems so it’s something that should be on the list as a priority to check. When viewing a house try hunting it out by keeping your eye for moldy smells, flaky plaster, and watermarked walls or ceilings. 

How’s the structure?

Big cracks are what you should be keeping an eye for here. You will expect some hairline cracks – these are normal however you should pay close attention to where extensions join, end-of-terrace walls, and bay windows, each of these can start to move away from the main structure and this is not good. You should not only ask the owners and estate agents about any potential problems but also think about getting a professional surveyor to investigate later. 

Electrics

It’s most definitely a good idea to be checking the electrics in a property before considering to buy. You should be checking things such as the condition of plug sockets, that there are enough dotted around the house and in ideal locations and you should also think about having a professional service such as Electrician Bristol to look over the wiring and fuse board before committing to a purchase. Rewiring a house could be a costly job, it may be worth it if you have fallen in love with a property but still, it’s best to be wise to the costs so you can add it to any budget you have. 

Plumbing

Just like electrics, plumbing should be a priority to get checked over. You shouldn’t be afraid to do things such as run the taps to check the water pressure. Ask questions like if the pipes are insulated, and ensure they are not lead which would have to be replaced. Do all of the radiators actually work, is there any problems with needing to bleed them? How old is the boiler? Boilers only typically last for 10 years and need to have a good service history so make sure you see this too. If the hot water tank is situated in the roof it is probably an old one and may have to be replaced soon.

Make sure your not fooled by staging

Estate agents and buyers tend to be very good at staging and it can fool people into buying a home that isn’t ideal for them after all. They will make sure there are lovely smells, cleverly placed pictures, good lighting, coy fires and add fresh coats of paint to try and add appeal to their home. People will often remove furniture too to try and give the impression that the rooms are bigger. Don’t be afraid to take a tape measure, ask if you can move mirrors from the walls, etc. 

These are just a few of the considerations you should be making when viewing and buying a property, there are loads of factors you should be thinking about. Do you know any that should have been included on this list?