When looking for a new house, one should always consider more than just the asking price, interior features, colours or the condition of the appliances. When touring a house, buyers also need to be aware of things like hidden cameras, expensive upkeeps, unsavoury neighbours’, leakages, structure details and much more. Read our seven recommendations to be a smart buyer who knows what to look for:
Days on the market: Research is important when purchasing a house as your hard-earned money will be going into it. Buyers should always check the number of days a house has been on the market and see the market conditions to understand the reason behind it being on the market longer than expected.
Cost comparison: Compare the cost of neighbourhood houses which have been recently listed or sold. This will help to make sure you get the best price and are not being overcharged.
Don’t be influenced by the décor: Many staging décor tricks are used to cover up things such as cracks in the wall, leakages, faulty windows, ventilation issues, smells amongst others. Imagine the house with your furniture, not theirs.
Visit more than once: One view is not enough to decide whether you want to live in a house or not. You can only check a few things during the first visit. A second or third visit is necessary to determine things like size of the closets & rooms, lights, plumbing, noisy flights or trains nearby, front & backyard etc.
Previous bills and renovations: You should always ask the seller for information on warranties, renovations and previous bills such utility and tax bills. This gives you an idea of what to expect and how much you will need to spend in the future to maintain the residence.
Local amenities: Your daily needs will not change with you address. You will still need close by grocery store, restaurants, coffee shops, public transport, schools, gyms and much more. Always check your distance from your everyday needs to make your future life simpler.
Crime rate: Precaution is always better than the cure. Certain locations are more crime-prone to others. Always check the history of the neighbourhood you’re about to live in. Google any latest news of the area to be sufficiently informed.
Staging tricks can be used to distract you from the issues that are pertaining in the house. Also, notice the aromas in the house, sometimes the smell of freshly baked cookies might be covering up the bad odours of the house.
Keep these tricks in mind and you be making a safer deal.
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