Buying
your first home can be both a daunting and exciting experience. It’s your first
experience on the property ladder, and you need to be prepared. You don’t want
to buy a home with faults or damage that could cost you a lot of money in the
long run. You need to look at multiple properties and find the right one for
you. Don’t be afraid to look around properly and hire a surveyor to check out
your favourites.
Here are a few things first-time buyers should be aware of.
Look out for damp
You need to know the classic signs of damp and mould in a property. Look out for black spots, soft edges and stain marks on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Prolonged mould exposure can cause nasal congestion, throat irritation and respiratory problems. Mould can also cause structural damage to the interior of your home. You should watch out for any signs of mould and damage when viewing properties. Look behind any furniture pushed against the wall and ask the seller’s if the property has a history of damp. You may need to replace the windows in the property to reduce the amount of moisture lingering in the air.
Turn on
the tap
Ask the
letting agent if you can turn on the tap or flush the toilet in the property.
Make sure there is hot clear water flowing out of the tap. Dirty tap water
could indicate a problem with the plumbing system in the home. If there’s no
hot water, the heating system may be broken, and you will need to replace the
boiler.
Check
out the neighbours
Ask the
sellers about the neighbours and local community. There might be some noisy
neighbour’s next door, who have caused problems in the past. After viewing the
home, look around the local area for corner shops, schools and pubs. It’s
important to find a home in a good location. You might need a school or
supermarket within walking distance if you don’t drive. You can
check the crime rates of the local area online.
Don’t be
fooled by fresh paint
A fresh
lick of paint can conceal damp stains and marks on the walls of the home. You
need to look past the surface of the home and focus on the structural elements.
Are there cracks in the walls? There might be a strategically placed photo
frame on the wall hiding a crack.
Inspect
the electrics around the home and look out for any wires dangling about. Your
new house should be safe to move into. You could hire a professional surveyor
to review the electrics and structural quality.
Watch
out for any problems with your potential home, and hire a professional to look
around.
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