When you’re on the lookout for a new home, you can get caught up in all of the fun of house hunting. ‘What beautiful paintwork,’ you may think, and ‘I love those windows.’ Of course, we do fall in love with our homes on an aesthetic level first, but before you go head over heels there are a few things that you need to consider. Alas, throwing your money at the estate agent willy-nilly without checking out absolutely everything beforehand could bite you in the long run, so ask these all-important questions…

House Hunting? Consider These Things

Are There Any Roof Leaks?

The first thing that you need to check for is any sign of damage in the house, particularly leaks. Replacing a roof (and potentially ceilings and floorboards) is no cheap job, and you don’t want to find that you’ve overlooked these issues. Look for roof leaks in the property, which are marked out by dark stains on the walls, or a bulging ceiling. Another telltale sign is a general smell of damp, so don’t be tempted to disregard this.

What's The Neighborhood Like?

Often, people find their perfect homes, and dive straight in without having much knowledge of the actual neighborhood that it’s in. Sure, you may have lived in the next city over, but have you been in this area at night, and do you know what it’s really like? If it makes you feel uncomfortable when the evening rolls around, then you may want to reconsider. Really spend some time there before you make a decision.

How Much Improvement Does It Need?

When it comes to home improvements, looks are usually deceiving. A property can look dated and in need of some TLC, but it may only require some new decor to give it a bit of life. On the other side of the coin, there are houses that look the part, but hide some dark secrets underneath. Thoroughly examine how much improvement the property actually needs, and if you’re not sure then call in an expert.

Is It Big Enough For Your Family?

OK, so this seems like an obvious one. However, whilst a house may be big enough for your family right now, you need to think about possible room for expansion in the future and what your options would be here. If you don’t consider this then it may be the case that this just won’t work out as your forever home, and you could find that you need to move sooner than you thought. Reflect on the future, even if it seems distant!

How Energy Efficient Is It?

In a world where we’re all pretty obsessed with a) the impending doom of a climate disaster, and b) how much money we’re wasting by heating the entire street, it’s important to be sure that your new abode is energy efficient. Of course, make general observations about the windows and insulation, but also carry out a DIY energy audit (or get the professionals to help) if you want to know the low-down in your potential home.

Good luck, and happy house hunting!

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