Are you currently shopping for a home and are scheduling walkthroughs with your real estate agent? It will help to know what things you should be looking for to determine if the home is worth making an offer on.
The Neighborhood
The first thing you should be doing before you even step foot in the house is determining if you like the neighborhood. It's easy to fall in love with a home based on the listing, but actually traveling to the home and going through the neighborhood can make you feel an entirely different way. Know that you need to fall in love with the neighborhood just as much as the home.
The Exterior
You should be paying attention to issues that could be found outside the home, so many sure to circle around the house a couple of times to give it a good look. Does it look like the previous owner cared about the landscaping and performing regular maintenance, or are there signs of neglect? Even things like having proper grading around the home show that the previous owner was concerned about taking care of the home.
The Smell
You'll likely immediately notice any odd smells when you first step into the home. Homes with carpeting and pets may have a very strong smell and require that you replace the carpet to get rid of it. There can also be smells related to smoking or mold that you would rather not have to deal with.
The Flow
You need to decide if the flow of the home is going to work with you and your family. Many older homes are very separated, with walls and doors enclosing spaces like the dining room, living room, and kitchen. Meanwhile, newer homes tend to have open floor plans where everything is open to each other, which makes it easier for entertaining and being with family. You must decide if the flow of the home matches your lifestyle and what you are looking for in a house.
The Appliances
It's a good idea to take note of the age of any appliances in the home since it can give you a good idea if they will need replacement in the near future. Things like the water heater, HVAC system, washer and dryer, and refrigerator all have estimated lifespans, and there is often manufacturing information on them that let you know when they were made. This can help prepare you for appliances that may break down soon after moving in. In some situations, you can request a home warranty to help cover these expenses.
Talk to a real estate agent to get help finding houses for sale in your area.
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