15 Things to Consider When Buying a Home

Keep in mind that most buyers look for features, it is really the benefits that will determine how you live in a home.  An example of a feature is a fenced back yard, but the benefit of that is that your children and dogs will stay in your yard.  Some benefits aren’t as easy to see, like an open floor plan means that those in the household will be connected when you are working in different spaces.  Try to not limit yourself to a specific number of bedrooms, but consider a home that may have one less bedroom than on your list, but has an open space at the top of the stairs or a large bedroom that can serve as both a home office and guest bedroom.

1. Location, location, location.  It is the one thing that you can’t change.  What is most important to you when considering where to buy?  Commute to work, school zone, proximity to shopping or restaurants?  If you had to choose between location and other important amenities, like having the 4th bedroom that you will use when guests visit, which will win out? 
2. The size of the house.  Be sure to keep an open mind when it comes to this. While you may have a range or specific square footage in mind, keep an open mind and ask your REALTOR® to consider homes that are outside that range if they offer other features you are really looking for.
3. Apply the 80/20 rule to your home.  What 20% of the house will you spend 80% of your time in?  Should you pass up the home with the sunny backyard and screened porch that you love to get a bigger guest room that is used less than a week per year?
4. The size of the yard.  Try not to tell your REALTOR ® a specific size, like a half an acre, because the size of the yard that will work for you really depends on how the yard is shaped, how the house sits on it and what backs up to it.  A half acre in a culdesac may have a much bigger backyard than a corner lot on one third of an acre.  Keep an open mind when it comes to specific size, and tell your agent how you want to use the yard, as well as what benefits are important to you - like privacy, having room to throw a ball or grow a garden.
5. The age and general condition of the home.  Do you enjoy DIY, or will you spend your weekends wishing you didn’t have a hammer in your hands? Be realistic and don’t talk yourself into a fixer-upper if you own no tools and hate working on houses.  Know that many of the homes major components, like HVAC and water heaters, have a life expectancy of about 12 years.  That means the 12 year old home may soon need major repairs.  A home inspection can give you a clue if those components are already showing signs of age related deterioration.  A home that is 20 years old with an original roof may need a new roof within a few years.  Just be prepared to consider these things as you compare homes of different ages. You can look at the HVAC and water heater sticker on the side of the unit to find a date it was manufactured. If it doesn’t have a date, you can often enter the serial number online to find an age.  Remember this is the age the unit was 
6. The neighborhood and surrounding developments.  Are you buying the largest home in the neighborhood or the smallest home in the neighborhood?  Talk with your agent about resale considerations if you are at the top of the price point of the neighborhood.  If there is vacant land around you, do your best to figure out if that area is being developed. There is no crystal ball to predict when a farmer finally sees enough dollar signs to sell the pasture you see now to a developer, but you want to do your best to see if there is anything on the immediate horizon.
7. Consider the state of electrical and wiring.  While this will show up on a home inspection, remember that the inspection isn’t designed to bring items up to current code.  That means if you buy an older home with fuses instead of breakers, you are stuck making that pretty significant change at some point in the future.  Look for signs of upgrades, like GFCI plugs and 3 prong grounded plugs.
8. The water pressure. Turn on faucets during showings, including the showers.  Is there adequate water pressure and hot water? While not having water as hot as you like could be as simple as turning up the dial on the water heater, the water pressure may either be a simple fix (replacing a low-flow faucet) or a major fix.
9. Other plumbing issues.  Flush the commodes and listen for the sinks and tubs to gurgle.  That may be a sign of plumbing issues you will want to consider as you are weighing whether to write an offer.
10. The age of appliances.  We often look to see what color they are, thinking that stainless steel means thumbs up and white or black appliances means that they are slated for future replacement.  Look beyond color to open the appliances and see how old they are.
11. The placement of the house on the lot?  Do you want sun in your breakfast room windows as you enjoy your cup of coffee?  Look for eastern exposure.  Do you dread going outside in the afternoon in mid August because your current deck has western exposure?  Do you want to enjoy sunsets from your lakefront deck?  Look for western exposure.
12. The windows.  Are they old with peeling paint, or have they been replaced with newer insulated windows.  Are there windows on the inside of a large covered porch or carport which will block them from getting sun?
13. The exterior.  What exterior covering is applied to all four sides of the home?  If vinyl siding is on the north side of the house, it may require more maintenance as mildew will grow where the sun doesn’t shine.  Do you see any obvious signs of settlement, like cracks in the brick?  If you see them outside, go inside to see if they also show up in the sheetrock.  If you can see into the crawl space, does it seem to be dry and can you see plastic down on the ground?  While a home inspector will also look carefully at these things, it can save you money on a home inspection if you notice major walk-away issues before you go under contract.
14. The Homeowner’s Association.  Ask for the Covenants and Restrictions of the subdivision. Is on-street overnight parking allowed?  If not, will there be enough parking in the garage and driveway?  Are you required to get approval if you change the color of your front door?  Are trampolines and playset allowed in backyards? What are the HOA dues?  
15. Understand that a home inspection is designed to identify unseen mechanical issues and problems with systems.  It is your responsibility to look for cosmetic defects, like missing pieces of formica or runs or snags in the carpet, before you go under contract.  You shouldn’t expect the negotiation of repairs  to bring a home up to current code, replace tarnished faucets or repair every item that comes up on an inspection.  Be prepared to find issues that show up on a home inspection, and make sure you are prepared to address issues that come up after you close. It’s part of home ownership.

Have fun!  This can be a stressful time, but it is also one of the biggest steps you will ever take personally and it should be celebrated.  Document your journey with photos and celebrate your success in becoming a homeowner!