Your First Look at a House: Experienced Tips from the Trenches

If you’re thinking of purchasing a property, it’s vital to understand what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll be spending a lot of time at your new house and putting a lot of money into it, so you want to make sure it’s the right fit for you.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to view a home with an agent and some tips on what to look out for when viewing homes.

The first time I look at a home is to determine if I am interested enough to pursue it. So, first and foremost, we’ll focus on the fundamentals: does the floor plan suit you, what do you think the overall condition is like, and can you envision yourself living here? “Can I live here?” should be your guiding question

We’ll also go through what to look for when looking at houses, the most essential information to remember during your initial walk-through with a real estate agent, and how to detect possible issues areas of the house before purchasing.

From The Curb

When approaching your first home, it’s crucial to look around first and foremost. Examine the neighborhood and nearby residences. Depending on the site of the property, look for any noise pollution from busy roads or noisy avenues. Also, check for any light pollution from neighboring businesses or traffic congestions.

We should inspect the home’s plot and exterior for proper grading. Think about water drainage on the grounds. Ideally, we would want the home at the highest point of the plot, draining the waterway from the home. Proper draining of rainwater is very important and can determine the condition of the structure and foundation.

Because water is frequently the most damaging component in a home, pay special attention to the water system and drainage”

We should next assess the home’s overall curb appeal and condition from the street. The roof, landscaping, parking, entrances, and walkways are all important. Roofs are very expensive to replace so it’s important to have a basic idea of their condition. From the curb, you can notice any discoloration or any recent repairs.

Following the roof down, you want to also take a look at the gutters and downspouts. Poor upkeep puts additional strain on home gutter systems and inspecting the home’s gutters and their condition might give you a clue to poor maintenance.

While walking the property, look at trees that might create problems in the future. Trees, especially big ones near homes, are costly to remove. Leafs and branches will also put a strain on your drainage system, necessitating more care.

Finally, inspect the home’s exterior foundation for cracks or deterioration. If the basement of the home has finished walls, you won’t be able to see any possible cracks or previous repairs. Cracks in foundations are typical. However, there are levels to this. A crack may be caused by natural movement of the house, while other cracks indicate structural damage.

Walking Inside

The first few impressions you get from the home will be extremely telling. The time of day you look at a house has an impact as well. During the day, seeing the house might assist you in locating any problems with the paint or water stains on ceilings and walls indicating leaking pipes.

Take note of the home’s structure, overall area, and condition while walking through it. Most people notice the simple-to-change aesthetic features, such as paint or wallpaper, when they enter a home. HVAC repairs, window replacements, and water damage, on the other hand, are considerably more costly. The paint is very cheap!

Don’t look for a new house based on your current furnishings. Because homes are more expensive than furniture, don’t search for the ideal family room to match your sectional and entertainment systems. Instead, consider the area for typical furniture instead of individual pieces.

The average size of a master bedroom is 12×14, but large master bedrooms can be up to 16×24. The smallest bedroom is often 9 Feet x 11 Feet.

If at all possible, stay away from houses constructed before 1950. Many of these homes do not have up-to-par mechanicals and insulation systems. Older residences are also draftier and require more energy to heat and cool.

Finishing up with the interior Take a look at the tile, paint, and flooring’s finish and quality. If you discover substandard craftsmanship, fit and finish, or refurbishment work. You should be more cautious about the house. Sometimes decades of do-it-yourself can indicate faulty repairs and bandages hidden behind the wall that will emerge after you move in.

If you’re having difficulties viewing the property, ask your agent for assistance. They’ll be able to respond to any queries you have and give suggestions on their favorite parts of the home or areas that need repair.

It is important that you take your time when inspecting the interior of a home because those initial impressions are vital for how much money you might spend on updates.

Lead with, “Can I see myself living here?” as previously stated. When it comes to purchasing a home, emotions run high, therefore ask your gut: “Gut, do you think you’d be happy living here?”

Mechanical

The core of the house is made up of mechanical components. Mechanical systems in a home may also impact how it functions. The life expectancy for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems is similar.

A typical electrical system should last approximately 50-60 years. However, other components are far less durable. If you’re interested in viewing a PDF of the life experiences of various systems, please see below. In general, look at the overall condition of the system, any repairs made to it, and the estimated age if available. You don’t need to go crawling into spaces, examine what is easily visible.

Inspecting Electrical

Electrical systems generally endure the life of a home, however, there are several early electrical designs that are no longer recommended for modern homes. If you have primarily conduit, little to no flex pipes, or Romex in the Chicagoland region, your electrical system is most likely functional.

You want to avoid DIY electrical completed by homeowners. Often, homeowners add electrical legs and loads to the electrical systems causing breaker overload. Take a look at any exposed electrical boxes, lines, and electrical boxes for overall condition.

Inspecting Plumbing

Inspecting beneath sinks and vanities is the most popular, simplest, and fastest approach to check plumbing. Examine the condition of the plumbing, what type of material it’s made of, and whether there are any leaks.

The most frequent materials for plumbing are PVC and copper. Finding cast iron pipes and galvanized pipes might be a sign of an old system that may require repairs or attention soon. Leaks in sinks and toilets are quite prevalent. If leaks have caused damage or discoloration, this might indicate neglect by the prior homeowner. Buyer beware!

Finally, check the hot water tank for age, condition, and materials; PVC and copper are the most preferred materials.

Inspecting HVAC

The most popular climate control system in the Chicago area is forced air. During the summer and winter months, vents provide both heat and cooling. In most situations, home ventilation systems that are designed and installed correctly will last the life of the house, requiring only periotic duct cleaning.

The average lifespan of a gas furnace is seven to 30 years. There’s no need to go into crawl spaces or attics; simply do a visual assessment of anything that is obvious and easy to determine its age and condition.

Other things to look out for:

Water intrusion or water damage musty orders

Check the basement if there is one. Does it have a musty odor? Is there a distinct smell of humidity in the house?

Water is the most common reason for property damage, therefore examine all external walls for possible water intrusion indicators. Mold poses a wide range of health hazards, so it should not be overlooked.

Additions that are poorly done

Home additions are great ways to expand the living space and increase home value however, most of the time they are designed and constructed poorly causing poor quality living space.

The addition may also be located on the side or rear of the property. Check that it has adequate ventilation systems, adheres to the style of the home, and was built by qualified experts.

Don’t Be Fooled By Staging

Staging is a common practice among real estate agents to make the home look like it’s in good condition. However, staging can lead to purchasers being oblivious to some of the property’s most significant problems, resulting in them inadvertently purchasing a home that has been neglected or may end up costing them far more than they had anticipated.

Don’t be fooled by the color of your home’s decor or furnishings. Look at the overall structure to ensure that it is safe.

Conclusion

The most essential thing to consider while searching for a property is whether or not it will fulfill your requirements. People can get so caught up in what they want that they miss out on an opportunity because of their focus on certain features of the property rather than looking at the overall picture.

If this is all too much, don’t worry. A competent real estate agent will look over the property and assess it while you’re walking through it. Your realtor should give you their unbiased opinion about the home. A good agent will also help you with other things such as repair suggestions, and estimated costs.

After walking through the home, always ask yourself these questions:

1. Are there any potential safety hazards that need to be addressed or fixed before moving in?
2. What might need to be replaced within the next 5 years?
3. Does it have enough space for your family or need?
4. Lastly, ask your gut ‘can I see myself living here?

Thank you for reading, if you are in the Chicagoland area and are in search of your first home, please reach out. We would love you help you find your dream home. If you are a first-time homebuyer, check out our 10 easy steps to buy a house in Chicago.