Tips for buying a home
Here are a few Tips and things to consider when looking for your first home.
First:
Ask your banker to give you a pre-approved budget to work with.
Second:
- Location - how far are schools/shopping and work from your home to make it convenient for the future? Also consider the location of recreational areas if you like to go there lots.
- Neighbourhood - is it a mixed population, older or younger families? Older neighbourhoods often have a kind of community spirit. Ask some people in your future neighbourhood.
Traffic - How much traffic can you anticipate around your home, look in the morning and around 5 pm for traffic volume?
Third:
Home inspection - to do it yourself
Start at the exterior:
Watch for roof lines
Wear and tear
Shingle age
Paint
Windows overall
Door sagging
Concrete exposure
Resent dirt work
Interior main floor
Wear and tear overall
Sags in floor and or ceiling
Movement in floor
Paint cracks/Dry wall cracks
Windows
Mold on windows/doors
Renovation marks
Kitchen
Check drawers for wear
Appliances for wear
Stain or calcium build up
Light/switches
Counter-top for wear
- Overall
- Check the overall light fixture condition
- Damage on walls and/or walls