In the current market, finding the right home for the right price is more challenging than ever. Houses seem to be selling FAST and for way above the market value, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Finding a home for you and your family is not only difficult but stressful. With such a large investment of course you want everything to be perfect – the right feel of the home, neighborhood, and school district. Unfortunately, those are not the only things you need to look out for when searching for your next house and if you don’t know what to look for, it can make it even harder and could end up costing you big.
What’s the Right Price for a Home?
One of the main tips anyone can give you is to get an inspection by a 3rd party – someone who is unbiased walking in. This inspector will list out all of the issues with the home so you know exactly what you are getting into before you lock in the sale of your new home. This is one of the best ways to ensure you are not overpaying for a home, but in today’s market houses are going faster than ever and concessions are being made left and right. People are waving repairs and concessions and overbidding just to get a chance to purchase the home they want. To win the right bid and minimize the risk, remember to look for these signs of additional costs to come.
Major Issues to Lookout for When Buying a Home
When going through a home, there are more things to look for than just issues with the windows. There are lots of structural things to look for that the homeowner might not even know about. It’s essential to look for all these things to avoid overpaying for a house that will need lots of fixing.
Foundation Issues
Potentially, if not the most, dangerous and costly repair to a home is a foundation repair. Oftentimes you are not looking at just a repair to your foundation when you find foundation issues, a bad foundation has the potential to damage other parts of your home even after it has been remedied. Look out for signs of a bad foundation way before an inspection begins to avoid major headaches down the road.
There are a lot of ways to check for a bad foundation and if you are entering in a bidding war that locks you into a deal before the inspection on the house is even scheduled you will want to look out for these small indicators that the home has foundation problems –
- Uneven Floors – this is by far the most obvious sign of foundation problems. If you can see or feel the lean of the floor where there shouldn’t be a slope then it is clear the home has foundation problems.
- Uneven Door Frames – if you find that there are large uneven gaps at the bottom of each door within the home, this, unfortunately, is not likely just a small quirk of the house, but an indicator of a larger foundation issue.
Even if the foundation is not the underlying issue – uneven door frames can not only be difficult to open and close but leave you vulnerable to pests and higher electrical bills. - Uneven Windows // Window Frames – when you look at a house pay attention to the windows – do they shut all the way or is there a gap in the corner that is unable to shut? While this might just be a poor window installation this could be a warning sign of greater issues.
- Cracks in the Drywall – cracks along the walls and especially near windows and doorways is just another indicator of an underlying foundation problem. As the foundation moves so will the walls that are built on top. This movement causes the drywall to crack as the house begins to shift.
As you walk through the home be aware of everything you are noticing within the home, if you see a few of these signs listed above, the reality is that the house likely has some major foundation issues that can end up costing you thousands of dollars after closing on your new home.
Water Damage
Another massive concern you should be looking out for when viewing homes is water damage. Water damage can be more than just unsightly, but can be indicators of much deeper problems like a flooding basement or broken pipe. Knowing where to look for water damage will help protect you in the long run.
- Discolored walls or ceiling – If you see discoloration on the walls or ceiling of a home or see a water stain that could be an indicator of a larger problem. This could be an “old problem” but if you are viewing the stain during an open house there is probably a larger issue underneath. These water stains could mean a leak or break somewhere in the pipes. Not only would you have to fix/replace the pipe, but likely would have to repair the drywall and treat for mold.
- Mold or Standing Water in a Cellar or Basement – Water damage and flooding can cause expensive problems if gone unnoticed, leading to mold build-up and rot. Not only can these leave a home’s overall structure at risk, but can be a breeding ground for harmful mold.
Make sure when you view a home you are looking for some of these signs of ongoing water damage to make sure you don’t sign up for a much bigger investment than you originally expected.
Other Concerning Signs to Keep a Lookout For While Viewing a Home
While the above are just two signs to look for make sure you are also looking at the following:
- Electrical Work – make sure all the switches and plugs work when you can. Outdated electrical work could mean a much larger project with a certified electrician. This is especially true if you are looking at purchasing an older home.
- Evidence of Pests – No one wants to move into their brand new home only to find out you have a massive bug infestation, no matter what kind of bug it is. Make sure to look for signs of insects as you tour the home, especially for termite damage. These pesky creatures, while small, can cause some major damage to a home.
- Window Repair & Replacement – When in doubt look at the home’s windows. Windows are your literal looking glass into the home, but they are also a great place to look at the underlying ailments that lie in any home.
Kryger Glasses Tips to Properly Assessing Windows
When assessing your windows you are not only looking at potential window repairs and replacements you are looking at signs of a pest problem, a foundation issue, and water damage. Give yourself the upper hand with these inspection tips –
- Pest Damage – this could be as small as a little hole in the caulking to small black insect droppings, to termite damage (sawdust), to dead insects within the pains of the window. All of these are evidence that there is potentially a larger pest problem that will need to be addressed. These signs also mean the window framing is in need of repair. To keep the pests out long term your windows must be in working condition.
- Windows Are Fogging – Another thing to look for is the overall condition of your window. From the outside, everything might look fine, but if you find yourself asking, “why are the windows foggy?” then that is a sign of a compromised window. This will likely mean rising A/C and heating bills as your window cannot keep the elements out. More costly, this might be another sign of water damage to the entire window as this fogging is caused by moisture between the pains.
- Draft in Windows – Air movement through a closed window is never a good thing. This can lead to several problems, from water damage, pest problems, and rising bills. At the end of the day, if you can feel a draft coming from your windows, they need repairs or replacements.
Contact Kryger Glass
Buying a home in today’s market can be intimidating with how competitive it is. People rush into decisions because they don’t want to miss out on an opportunity. The tips provided above will help you make a responsible decision on finding the right home, neighborhood, and community for your family. If you notice any of the above issues with the windows in your new home call Kryger today, we can repair or replace any windows as well as install other glass products, such as storm windows and shower glass.