5 things to look out for when searching for a new home

Indeed, you’ll typically spend months searching for the perfect home only to discover that it has a few niggles that need putting right.

Of course, there are things that you can look out for to prevent such nasty surprises. Specifically, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the following:

Location

The location of your potential new home is crucial. Yes, it may seem like a lovely place to live, but if it’s hours away from anything, or the surroundings just aren’t living up to the home, is it worth it? You’ll no doubt be able to find something similar in a more suitable location.

Another factor to account for when it comes to location is schools. If you have kids, or you’re planning on having them, are they going to be able to easily attend a good school? The last thing you need is a nightmare drive every morning to drop them off.

The exterior 

Whilst you’ll likely change the interior of your new home, the exterior may need some updating too. Unlike the interior, the exterior of a house costs quite a bit to dress up.

To avoid incurring further expenses, make sure to take a look at the roof before buying. If there are any loose tiles or the roof is sagging, this is a good indication that it’ll require repairs or need to be completely replaced.

Another thing to consider is the windows. Specifically, you need to know if they’re newly fitted, double glazed, or if they’ve burst? New windows for a home can be extremely costly and not something that you want to be thinking about when you first move in.

Finally, the boiler. What is the current state? Is it oil or gas? Will it need replacing? Again, another cost that you may not want to pay out for when you’re moving in.

The condition

Following on from the points above, what is the condition of the home itself? Is there any noticeable mould within the walls?

Are you aware of the materials that the walls and insulation are made from? Older homes often hold asbestos, which can be very serious and must be removed in most circumstances.

As well as being a time-consuming activity, asbestos removal is usually very costly and dangerous. Indeed, you’ll need to find yourself a reputable asbestos disposal company to get the job done.

If you keep these key points in mind when searching for your new home, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the experience and make a far more informed decision about your purchase.