Homeowners selling their homes often try to hide or ignore problems that would cost money to fix before selling. Those looking to purchase a new home need to be careful that they are fully examining the house to know exactly what kind of work it will take to update and repair. Most buyers pay an inspector to come look over the home before they sign all of the papers. A buyer will want to make sure he checks over the:
Light Switches
Homeowners will want to make sure all light fixtures are in good working order and that there are no shorts in the system. Sometimes a bulb or two may be out, so the potential buyer may want to consider swapping bulbs on the spot to change those lights. Strange wiring problems can lead to larger issues that are expensive to fix down the road.
Water Damage
If there are any signs of areas damaged by water, the potential buyer needs to check them out and make sure there is no rot or mold in the home. Soft parts of the walls or ceiling, warped wallpaper or bowing wood could all be signs of severe damage. Watermarks on the walls, ceilings or floors should be a huge red flag to buyers.
Cracks
While some cracks (vertical, straight cracks) are normal as the house shifts throughout the seasons, some cracks show there may be a foundation problem. A house set on an uneven or soft foundation might shift more than it should. Cracks that are jagged or horizontal could be signs that something is really wrong with the structure of the home.
Window Leaks
Old windows can be painted to look new, but they might not even open correctly. Buyers need to look at each window to ensure it opens correctly and the seal does not leak outside air. Air that leaks inside will make air conditioning and heating inefficient and waste energy bills. Bad windows should lead to a buyer getting a quote for replacement windows in Covina, requesting the seller cover the cost or at least letting the buyer know what to expect.
The worst thing to do when purchasing a house is to be unaware of exactly how much money it will take to improve on the home. A house may not need much, but there is rarely a house that doesn’t need a single update or improvement.