Today, we’re going to review three easy tips to find out if a home is a stud or a dud.

When buying a home, it’s easy to get excited about moving in. In all of that excitement, you will likely overlook small details that could tell you a lot more of the property’s story, or, at a minimum, help you figure out what sort of work and costs will be involved with owning that particular home.

APPLIANCES

Have a look in the appliances, they’re included with the purchase and you should know if they’re in good working order.  If there is a water filter in the fridge, take down details of the model number so you can replace it… it’s likely that it has not been changed in a while!

Take a close look at doors, drawers, racks and compartments in the dishwasher, fridge, washing machine, etc. to ensure everything is in good shape.  If you find damage, take this into consideration before putting an offer on the home or use it as an opportunity to negotiate further after a home inspection.

HVAC

It’s common to find dirty air filters and poorly maintained (if at all) furnace, A/C and other HVAC components.  Budget for air duct cleaning after moving in if it hasn’t been done in a while.  Make a note of the furnace filter size and pick some up for moving day too.

BATHROOMS & PLUMBING

Take a close look at caulking around sinks and bathtubs inside and windows, vents and hose-bibs outside.  If the caulking is missing or dried and cracked, it’ll need to be replaced ASAP to prevent water penetration.

Test the main water shut-off to the house to ensure the valve works as well as any secondary valves you may find on toilet water supplies and under each sink.  If these valves are never used, they will eventually cease, making plumbing work much harder than necessary.

Looking in these three areas will give you a pretty good understanding for how the whole house has been taken care of and hopefully provide reasonable expectations of what to expect and possibly even provide you with some great ammunition to negotiate a better deal on the home.

If you require assistance looking for a home and want to chat with our team about our services and how we can help you find the perfect property, DM us on Instagram @kormendytrott or call 1 (800) 617-0090