What to Look For When Buying a Home

You’re buying your first home in Albuquerque and the excitement abounds. But you have to be careful that all the excitement doesn’t cloud your vision. It’s easy to see the exterior of a home and how much you like (or dislike it). But you need to see the inside as well. How was it maintained? What issues will come up when you buy the home? If you know these things in advance, you can save on expensive repairs in the future.

This is even more important as a first time buyer. First time buyers usually don’t have the experience to know what warning signs to look for in a home. Hiring a home inspector will definitely help in this regard. Here’s a list of warning signs to look for.

Foundation

  • Look for cracks in the driveway, walls and sidewalks
  • Are the floors, windows and doorways crooked or not level?
  • Are there large trees with roots near the foundation?
  • Do the inside doors jam or have gaps on the top of them?

Electrical

  • Are there any exposed wires?
  • Do the lights flicker?
  • Are outlets warm to the touch?
  • Are there any visible signs of electrical tape?
  • Look for flash burns near socket covers.

Roof

  • Look for missing or cracked shingles and significant wear and tear.
  • Are there mismatched materials or curled or warped shingles?

Plumbing

  • Do the faucets leak?
  • Are there water stains under the sinks or around toilet or tub
  • Check how the bath and sinks drain.
  • Do you smell foul odors near sinks?
  • Check the water pressure in sinks and bath.

Mold

  • Do you see any water stains on walls?
  • Is any mold visible?
  • Is there a musty smell?
  • Check for rotted wood around doors and windows.
  • Is the paint peeling?

Insects or Pests

  • Are there signs of termites and carpenter ants?
  • Are there ways for rodents to enter the house?
  • Is any exposed interior wood damaged?

Poor Workmanship

  • Do repairs look professional?
  • Do renovations look armature?
  • Are any tasks uncompleted?

Checking these items can go a long way to making sure you pay the right price for your first home and know more fully what you’re buying. Check back on our blog twice a week for more real estate advice and for local Albuquerque topics. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.