WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR BEFORE YOU MAKE AN OFFER ON A NEW HOUSE

Buying a new house and moving to a new area is full of challenges. You can never be a hundred percent sure that you have made the right decision until you are settled and know what it really feels like living in your new home. However, you can avoid some common mistakes and disappointment if you look out for common problems that might make you regret that you signed the documents in the first place.

Electrical System

An old cottage or a romantic home built in the last century that needs a bit of remodeling work might be your dream. But if the house is stuck in the last century, and its electrical system needs urgent updating, you might not be able to move in right away. The older the wiring of the house is, the more problems you are likely to encounter. The fuses might not even be able to support your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher, so you must check this first.

Alarm and Keys

Before you move in, you need to make sure that all keys and alarm systems are in place. If you don’t have the installation document and the code of the alarm, you might need to start from the beginning. While it is recommended that you change the locks after you move in to your new home, you need a few sets to work with in the beginning. Check how secure the doors and windows are; your new insurance premium will depend on this.

 

Heating and Air Conditioning

The last thing you want to do is having to deal with an underperforming or intermittent heating and air conditioning system when you move in. While your realtor might give you the service documents, you will also need to do your own research. If you have a regular plumbing and heating company to use, ask them to inspect the system for faults that require immediate attention.

Schools

When moving with kids, it is important that you visit some of the local schools and talk to the teachers. You need to have a clear choice before you move. And be sure that your children will get the attention they deserve in their new classroom. You should also find out about school buses and commuting times. And take your kids for a tour around the school you selected before you move, to make sure that they are comfortable with your selection. Avoid this moving mishap and choose the home with good schools and kids’ clubs.

 

Crime Levels and Neighborhood

Most property advice websites provide information about crime levels, demographics, and neighborhoods. You will have to visit the street and try to talk to some of the neighbors before you sign the dotted line. Without knowing what people are like in your neighborhood, you might move next to someone who will make your life a misery for the next few years.

Whether you are just thinking about selling your home and moving on, or you have a couple of properties lined up already, you must make sure that you are making the right decision by checking for potential problems.