As a first time buyer, viewing houses can be exhausting. There are countless things to consider, such as the layout of the home, the location and nearby schools, and much, much more. This can be a bit overwhelming when viewing open houses, as there is so much to observe you might miss some key details about the property. In this article, we will discuss 5 key things to observe and be aware of when viewing houses, so your dream home doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
1.How long has the property been on the market?
The first question you should ask the estate agent is how long the property has been on the market. If a property has been on the market for more than a few months and still isn’t selling, there’s usually a reason why. While this could come down to a number of things, from price to hidden structural issues to low demand, this is a good gauge of potential red flags.
2. Account for renovation
Many people make the mistake of buying houses that appear to be within budget, but forget to factor in renovations, sending their final cost far above what they had originally planned. To avoid making this costly mistake, it might be a good idea to bring a professional builder or architect to give you an estimate of what renovations are needed and how much they would cost. Building this cost into your budget will ensure that you don’t accidentally go over budget before you even notice.
3. Consider how much natural light gets inside
Natural light can have a positive effect on your mood, especially during those cold Irish winters. It would be very unfortunate to fall in love with a house, negotiate a price, buy it, and find out that it gets very dim on darker days. Agents know that this is an important aspect of a home, so they usually make sure to keep all the lights on at open houses. Don’t be fooled by this trick: turn some lights off and observe how much natural light gets in during the day.
4. Check noise levels
Just like light, large amounts of outside noise can very negatively affect your quality of life. No one wants to buy a home only to find out they can’t sleep at night due to noise pollution! Crack a window and check for outside noise that could annoy you down the line, particularly in the bedrooms.
5. Location, Location, Location!
The final tip, and perhaps the most important, is to consider your home’s location. How much traffic is there on the commute to work? If you plan on having a family, how good are the nearby schools? Consider taking a walk around the neighborhood and checking out local shops and restaurants, then ask yourself if you could consider living there.
Nice blog! Some good practical information in there too. k