One Hundred Dollars a Month

The big house with a green lawn and white picket fence is the epitome of the American Dream. Now that might not sum up the kind of house you’re looking for, but regardless, buying a house of any kind is a HUGE deal. It takes years of saving, months of planning and endless hours searching. So if it’s your first home you’re in search of and you’re feeling a little lost, here are some things you really need to look for when you head out to find the house of your dreams.

The HOA: This first one has nothing to do with your actual house, but I led with it because if there is one piece of advice I could give to someone looking to buy a house, it’s check out the HOA {Home Owner’s Association}. How crazy are the CC&Rs in your neighborhood. Are the people in charge of your sub completely insane {been there, done that!}. Will you always be looking over your should or waiting for the next your-shrubs-are-one-millimeter-too-high letter in your mailbox?! Ask your potential neighbors to spill the beans. This could make or break your neighborhood experience!

The Roof: A new roof is crazy expensive, so a shabby looking roof should be a warning sign! A newer, sturdier roof could not only mean a lower homeowners insurance rate, but also better protection and insulation from the elements and crazy weather!

Room Size: If you know you want larger bedrooms, don’t settle for a house with smaller rooms. Thinking you can easily knock out a wall or make them a little bigger may be a project that breaks the bank. This goes beyond bedrooms though. If you love to cook, don’t settle for a small kitchen; if you love to entertain, don’t settle for a small living or dining room. Also, think about your furniture as you walk through a home. Will your bed fit in that bedroom? Will your entertainment center look nice in that living space? These are all things that need to be addressed because fixing them after the fact can be costly!

The Insulation: Good insulation not only sound-proofs you from the outside world, but it also helps keep you comfortable. And that’s the ultimate goal in a home, right? Checking wall and attic insulation is standard,  but also check the heating ducts and pipes to make sure they’re properly insulated. This will help keep heating and cooling costs low when extreme weather hits!

Window Sizes: Sure those floor to ceiling windows are awe-inducing, but what happens if one breaks. Check into pricing on replacement windows. Inspect the window areas for rot and the windows themselves for damage. Also, can save you some money on utility bills in the future, so those are a bonus!

The Age of the House: Many people love older homes for their history, design and charm. I do, too. But beware of the costs associated with owning an older home! Foundation cracks, roof issues, undiscovered mold, lengthy repairs, lack of insulation, heating and cooling system repairs or replacements, inefficient older systems, appliances, etc. There’s a lot to consider when buying that aging home. If you are a lover of older homes, just make sure you build some repairs into your budget!

Plumbing: Don’t just do a surface tour. Dig a little deeper into what’s underneath. Examine those pipes and the area surrounding them for leaks, water damage and, again, mold.

Zoning and Animal Restrictions: If you want to own chickens and you’ve cleared it with your HOA, the city might have something else to say! There are often building restrictions and pet restrictions and a bunch of other restrictions depending on what town you live in and what their zoning limitations are. Check first if you want to have an exotic pet or even build onto your house!

The Land: It’s easy to just focus on the house itself sometimes, but you need to survey the land, too. Are the fences in disrepair? Are they shared? How’s the landscaping? Are their outbuildings that come with the property. Make sure you fully walk the land you are also purchasing!

Indoor Layout and Flow: If you hate when sound carries, you might want to avoid an open concept. If you want to be able to see your kids when you do the dishes, that might be the perfect way to go. Imagine your family in that space. Does the flow work for you? My aunt and uncle bought a house they thought they loved a few years back. They love to entertain. It was a ranch-style house and the kitchen was on the complete opposite end of the house from the back patio and grill. They never thought twice about it during the purchase, but hated it every week when they were hauling food from one side of the house, through the dining room, living room, den and laundry room just to get it on the grill. It’s the little things like that that can make all the difference.

The Grade: Obviously it’s important to see if your house is positioned on the lot in a way that would make it prone for flooding, but you also want to take the grade into account when landscaping. If your lot is really sloped, a deck you want might not be possible, or it might make mowing the lawn a nightmare. All things to consider before signing on the dotted line!

Driveway and Parking: If you have multiple vehicles, a boat, an RV and some ATVs, you need to be looking at driveway width and parking space. Can you easily drive you truck into your garage. Does you vehicle even fit in your garage? If you have no garage, is there ample space on the street? Also, look at the concrete condition of the driveway itself and check for large cracks and deterioration!

The Electrical: This is right up there with plumping! It’s taking a look behind the scenes. What is the outlet situation like? Can you even plug in your deep freezer in the garage or will the outlet not support it? Are fuses always blowing? And the number one thing to look for? How many outlets are in the bathroom!

The Toddler Approach: Touch everything. Approach the house like a 2-year-old {or bring over a few 2-year-olds to do it for you if you know any!}. Open every door and cabinet and closet. Turn on every faucet, flush every toilet, jump up and down on the floor looking for creaks. Discovering the nuts and bolts of your potential future house requires it. After you’ve given the house a thorough test, you’ll know just what you’re in for!

The Home Inspector Approach: While that toddler approach is helpful, calling in an expert to inspect the entire home is a MUST!

And there you have some suggestions that have been helpful for our family when buying a house. Anything I missed? Leave your tips in the comments!

Good luck, home buyers!

~Mavis