Look Beyond The Decor

Buying a new home is exciting!  It’s easy to fall in love.  You know what type of counter tops you want and the layout would be perfect for a house warming party.  Just like when you buy a new car you have to look under the hood, when you buy a new house you have to look beyond the decor to make sure you don’t have any surprises.  Most lenders and buyers insist on a home inspection by a professional, but there are some additional things to consider when reviewing those items.

The heating and cooling system can not be overlooked.  Even if you haven’t spent all your money on this new home, paying for a new heating or cooling system when it breaks down at the worst possible moment is not your ideal situation.  The comfort of living in a home is reflected just as much in the temperature as the layout or furnishings.  You need to make sure the A/C unit in the back yard is protected from children and the lifespan of a heating unit is 20-25 years.

Having the proper electrical system is also crucial.  As we move to more and more digital items our electric needs are becoming higher and higher.  The wrong unit could result in overloads, power surges or even a fire.  It’s important to know where the breakers are, how to trip them or depending on the age of the system how to replace a breaker.  Check to make sure that there are plenty of outlets in the areas you’ll need them to avoid overloading extension cords and having them run throughout the house.

Plumbing is another place that could be worry for expensive repairs.  Make sure you know if you have well water, if it will need to be filtered and where the shut off valve is.  Common problems in older plumbing systems include roots growing into sump pumps and rust in the pipes preventing full water pressure.

It’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of a house.  Remember, the functionally of the home goes beyond what you can see… and will be more expensive to fix.  For more tips and tricks on what to look out for when buying a home, call Helen today at 847.967.0022 or email [email protected].

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