You don’t have to be a pro to know what to look for when house hunting. When you’re on the hunt for your perfect home, it can be a daunting and overwhelming task. It can be difficult to keep track of which homes had promise, which ones needed a total remodel, or which ones just needed a little TLC and your personal touch.
While no home is perfect, when it comes to your budget, some repairs and updates are harder on your wallet (and sanity) than others. So when you’re out house hunting, keep in mind these 5 things, because if they’re damaged, they’ll require costly repairs and can even indicate bigger underlying problems that simply cannot be fixed.
Roofing
The typical life span of a roof is around 20 years, with the average cost to replace one being $12,000. However, some roof replacements can be as costly as $25,000 or more! Pay close attention to the age and condition of the roof before making an offer.
Foundation
The foundation of the home is literally what everything is resting on. The bones of the home lie in the foundation. It is crucial to make sure that your home has no “broken bones” such as wide cracks in the foundation. 9 times out of 10, if the home has a cracked foundation, it’s not worth the time, money, and headaches that can come with fixing it. Continue house hunting ASAP!
Wiring
If you are considering an older home, it’s important that you don’t overlook the possibility of outdated wiring and electrical systems. While older systems may still be functional, they can pose safety risks. Additionally, order wiring and electrical systems can be difficult to insulate and are sometimes hard to insure. If you do fall head-over-heels with an older home with outdated wiring, be prepared to shell out some serious cash in order to rewire the entire home.
Sewer System
Did you know that the condition of sewer lines is NOT something that is part of a regular home inspection. If you’re really serious about purchasing a home, we suggest spending a few hundred dollars for a specialized sewer inspection. Having a fully functional sewer and septic system is not only crucial to the health of the home, but to the health of you nostrils as well!
Insurance Claims
Ask if any insurance claims have been filed on the home. You might gain insight into any past issues that may not be obvious upon initial glance of the home.
Cesi Pagano
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