Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

What Should I Look For When Buying My First Home?

 

First-time homebuyers have a lot to do on their home-purchasing skills. This is probably one of the most expensive shopping they 're going to buy in their lives.

Potential buyers have often dreamed of design elements like granite countertops and open floor plans for their home. But what they can afford can be very different in fact. Likewise, there can be an intersection between what they want today and what they want or need a few years away – say, when they start or expand their families and have insufficient room. These disparities could lead to the mistaken choice of many first-time homebuyers. They choose to set out their lifestyle and budget rather than making a buying decision based on a reasonable standard.

Those mistakes can be avoided by first-time homebuyers who are willing to approach the buying process from a practical rather than mostly emotional point of view. Sure, granite countertops may be important, but so are mortgage payments that aren't too much of a stretch and a switch to work that isn't expensive. From finding out how much home you can afford to look into the future, here are five questions to ask yourself when you're shopping for a starter home.

Real Estate Agency Berkeley

To help navigate the process surprisingly painless, here are 10 important things to look out for when buying a house.

1. Recognize a roof in need of repairs

If the roof is old, it may end up costing you. A newer roof, on the other hand, could mean a lower insurance rate for homeowners. 

2. Don't judge the painting work of a room

Focus on structural elements — aged appliances, loose wires — and tone up any new walls or décor. when you step into your prospective dwelling. Long after the chipping has started, the foundations will be there and you want that to last.

3. Check the house's temperature

When you buy a home, be careful: it probably is if it looks rickety or old. Costly fixing and replacing heating and cooling systems can eat your utility bills inefficiently. Make sure the furnace is up to date and in good repair.

4. Choose your deal - breakers first when buying a house

In addition to the basics, such as quality glass windows and countertops, consider your home 's priorities and your lifestyle needs, such as storage of a large library or the large backyard for barbeque.

If you intend on children or friends, it can also make you smart to spring for a home with an extra bedroom. 

5. Water pipelines

Don't stop at the eye level when you poke around a new kitchen — go underneath the sink to look at the pipes. Leaks, damage to water, and molds check. Mold is not only toxic and scentless, but also causes issues in hygiene. 

6. Survey the neighborhood

Look around the area. Is the house in a flood or wildfire-prone area? Share the driveway with a different property? Have they been constructed and placed correctly, if there are fences? You have a lot to accept, but you can not ignore his environment when you buy a house.

7. Sewages

Sewage systems may be obstructed or damaged by tree roots in older houses sometimes. Fortunately, some plumbing companies can send the camera to detect breaks or blockages through pipes. Pet scents, cigarettes and mildew should also be noted.

8. Invest in a well-ventilated house

Your home should be comfortable first and foremost. To ensure they are adequately sealed, test the attic, water pipes and heating ducts. This reduces the cost for heating and cooling and makes the summer and winter hot.

9. Be hands- on

It really means literally. Turn all the hackers on, open all the doors and windows and bathrooms even taste of the water. It's a big step to buy a home – perhaps one of the largest – and you must know how it all works. In this way you can tackle problem areas and see whether the solution is cost-effective.

10. Conduct home inspection

There's only so much you can do with your own five senses. When you buy a house, you'll also want to hire a professional to make sure the foundation is solid and the wiring is coded. Home inspectors may even check for lead paint and wood-eating pests.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do You Need a Real Estate Agency that Specializes in Residential Sales?

Sexton Group Real Estate Property Management in Berkeley, California is a boutique real estate company specializing in residential sales as well as property management services for properties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We have 2 offices to serve you, one in the heart of Berkeley and the other in the heart of Lafayette, California. The Sexton Group encompasses the essence of Berkeley’s charm and Lafayette’s family-oriented vibe all with a relaxed, down-to-earth nature. We are an amazing group of agents whose wealth of experience spans more than 25 years in the industry.  Looking to buy or sell a home in Contra Costa or Alameda County? Contact us today for your free consultation!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sexton-logo