7 Uncommon Things to Look at When Buying Your First Home

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting events in your life. When looking at homes, it’s common to consider the size of the bedrooms, what the kitchen cabinets look like, the condition of the grass on the front and back yards, what the floors look like, what the windows look like, how many bathrooms there are, what the kitchen appliances are like, etc. However, there are things you need to consider that you may not have thought of. The bottom line is that you need to cover all of your bases when making a home purchase.

Here are seven uncommon things to look at when buying your first home:

1. Check for Mold

Mold is one of the varieties of fungus. It can grow on various surfaces, such as on wood, showers, ceiling corners, etc. Humans can be sensitive to mold, and it can contribute to allergies and conditions such as asthma and chronic headaches. Severe mold problems, such as exposure to black mold, can cause even greater dangers and even death. Before you buy a home, talk to the seller to determine if there are any mold issues. Also, ask your home inspector if there are any mold issues. If there is a strong suspicion of mold, you can hire a mold detection company.

2. Check for Radon

Radon is radioactive gas, naturally formed from the earth, that can seep into cracks and gaps in homes. Radon is invisible, and humans are exposed to radon mainly from breathing it in without knowing it. The condition known as lung cancer is highly increased for people who are exposed to radon. Before you buy a home, ask the seller if the house has been tested for radon. If not, have the home tested yourself.

3. Check for Pests

When you buy a new home, you may not see insects, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. So how do you determine if the house you want to buy is free of such pests, such as termites? Hire a professional. A pest professional will check the home for any possible infestations. Rodents, such as mice, could also be an unseen problem. Pest professionals can check for this problem as well.

4. Check for Rotting Wood

As you decide whether or not to buy a home, you may not realize that parts of the house have rotted wood. Rotted wood can exist on windows, under floors, and more. Again, the best way to determine if there is rotted wood that needs to be replaced is with a professional home inspection. Taking care of such a problem will prevent the problem from getting worse once you move in.

5. Check the Basement for Water

It rained a week ago. However, the basement of the home that you’re considering buying is damp. Why is that? You need to have the basement checked for water and where the moisture may be coming from. Water in a basement can cause serious damage to the foundation as well as to items inside the basement.

6. Check for Tree Locations

Trees are a beautiful part of landscaping. However, how close are the trees to the home that you are considering buying? A tree that is too close to a home presents a danger. If there is a bad storm, for example, the tree could fall, and it could fall on the home, causing severe damage or worse. If a tree is too close to your home, you need to make arrangements for either the seller or you to remove it.

7. Have the Sewer Line Inspected

If you plan on purchasing a home and the home has trees in the front yard, it’s a great idea to have the sewer line inspected before making a purchase. This is a lesson we learned early on as real estate investors in Columbus. Tree roots by nature, grow toward where water is located, which would be in the sewage lines. Often roots will bust into the pipes and cause backups, potentially costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage if sewage backs up into your home. For a few hundred dollars, get the sewer line scoped before making a purchase to ensure roots are not blocking your underground piping.

The main point of this article is that you need to test for conditions that may not seem obvious, such as testing for mold or making sure the home doesn’t have an insect problem. If you are dealing with honest home sellers, and they know there is a problem or problems, they will inform you. If the seller says there are no problems that they know of, they may be honest, but it is up to you to make sure there are no issues. Always have your home professionally inspected for any problems. However, in addition, make sure the above conditions are covered, which means that you may need to hire additional inspections.