home & garden

House Research List

List of things to consider before buying a house.

Riza Hope Molo
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Things to Check

1

Indoor-outdoor flow. (The ease with which you can move from indoor to outdoor living areas and back again)

2

Size of rooms. (Not too big, not too small)

3

Interior layout. (The interior layout, or floor plan, can have a big effect on your daily life)

4

Lot grade. (The steepness of a lot is in some ways even more important than its size)

5

Window size and placement. (Look for a home with ample, well-placed windows)

6

Amount of natural light.

7

Regional weather considerations

8

House orientation on lot. (The way a house is positioned on its lot affects how much natural light it gets)

9

Driveway length and width

10

Street parking

11

Staircase steepness and length

12

Architectural details

13

Heating and cooling systems

14

Laundry room location

15

Kitchen features

16

Number of bathrooms

17

Ceiling height

18

Closeness of neighbors

19

The neighborhood

20

Smell for mould, and animal-related odours. Knock on walls to see if they sound hollow.

21

Research your broker's credentials

22

Check for "dealbreakers" or "red flags"

23

Negotiate the purchase price

24

Don't let yourself feel pressured to make a decision right away

25

Carefully consider what you can really afford

26

Gardens and yards are work

27

Buy a property you can afford now, not later

28

Select an agent carefully

29

The search can take longer than you think

Category
Questions To Ask Myself Before Making A Decision

30

Is there dampness?

31

How much storage space is there?

32

Have you been fooled by staging?

33

How old is the roof?

34

Are there enough power points and what condition are they in?

35

Is the plumbing up to scratch?

36

Is the property adequately sound-proofed?

37

What are neighbourhood noise levels like?

38

What’s the attic like?

39

Is there sufficient drainage in the area?

40

Is there any evidence of mould in the bathrooms or bedrooms?

41

Are there any water stains or corrosion to the walls backing onto the showers or baths?

42

Is the house close to facilities that are important to you?

43

Is there any sign of termite activity?

44

Are there any planned developments nearby?

45

Will any renovations you want to do be affordable?