Buying your first home can be both a daunting and exciting experience. It’s your first experience on the property ladder, and you need to be prepared. You don’t want to buy a home with faults or damage that could cost you a lot of money in the long run. You need to look at multiple properties and find the right one for you. Don’t be afraid to look around properly and hire a surveyor to check out your favourites.
Here are a few things first-time buyers should be aware of.
Look out for damp
You need to know the classic signs of damp and mold in a property. Look out for black spots, soft edges and stain marks on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Prolonged mould exposure can cause nasal congestion, throat irritation and respiratory problems. Mould can also cause structural damage to the interior of your home. You should watch out for any signs of mold and damage when viewing properties. Look behind any furniture pushed against the wall and ask the seller’s if the property has a history of damp. You may need to replace the windows in the property to reduce the amount of moisture lingering in the air.
Turn on the tap
Ask the letting agent if you can turn on the tap or flush the toilet in the property. Make sure there is hot clear water flowing out of the tap. Dirty tap water could indicate a problem with the plumbing system in the home. If there’s no hot water, the heating system may be broken, and you will need to replace the boiler.
Check out the neighbours
Ask the sellers about the neighbours and local community. There might be some noisy neighbour’s next door, who have caused problems in the past. After viewing the home, look around the local area for corner shops, schools and pubs. It’s important to find a home in a good location. You might need a school or supermarket within walking distance if you don’t drive. You can check the crime rates of the local area online.
Don’t be fooled by fresh paint
A fresh lick of paint can conceal damp stains and marks on the walls of the home. You need to look past the surface of the home and focus on the structural elements. Are there cracks in the walls? There might be a strategically placed photo frame on the wall hiding a crack.
Inspect the electrics around the home and look out for any wires dangling about. Your new house should be safe to move into. You could hire a professional surveyor to review the electrics and structural quality.
Watch out for any problems with your potential home, and hire a professional to look around.
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