8 Things to Look for in A New Home
8 Things to Look for in A New Home
If you’re thinking of buying or renting a new house, you’re probably aware that you need a home that doesn’t have a leaking roof or faulty wiring. This is good. However, after you check those requirements off of your list there are a few other things you should pay attention to before you say I do to your new home.
Room size
If you have yet to buy furniture, room size won’t matter as much to you as it might to people who already have large sectionals and big furniture to squeeze into the house. If you do have furniture already, though, you’ll want to be sure that it can fit into its intended room before you go ahead and sign on the dotted line.
Lay out
The layout of a home is more important than most people realize. For people who like to entertain and have guests over, an open floor plan is probably better as it allows the host or hostess to socialize with their guests while doing other things. If entertaining isn’t your forte, however, a more traditional layout might work just as well for you.
Driveway length and width
If you have one or more vehicles, chances are that you know how hard it can be to find parking. Before you buy a house, be sure that the house has a driveway or parking area that is big enough for your needs. If you have more than one vehicle, look for a home that has a two-car driveway or garage. If you’re looking to by a condo or apartment unit, be sure that the building has a dedicated parking space for you.
Laundry room location
Laundry is a big part of the home owning experience, as it can’t be avoided or ignored for too long. This being said, you probably don’t want to be packing a big laundry basket down the basement stairs to get to your washer and dryer. Homes with dedicated laundry rooms on the first floor are ideal for large families and people who go through a lot of laundry in a week, as it eliminates the potential hazards that come with going up and down the stairs with full arms.
Bathrooms
If you’re moving into a new home by yourself or with a partner, or roommate, you’re probably not going to have too many issues when it comes to sharing the bathroom. However, if you have kids and a partner, extended family, or multiple roommates sharing your home with you, you might run into the infamous bathroom problem of everyone needing to use the bathroom at once. If you’re going to live with more than one or two other people, consider finding a home with one and a half bathrooms, a powder room, or multiple full-sized bathrooms.
Ceiling height
The height of a ceiling isn’t typically high on the list of things to think about. If you liv with someone who is tall, ceiling height can be a problem- especially if he or she doesn’t fit comfortably in the home because the ceiling is too low. Invite the tallest person in your household into each room of your potential home before you say yes- this person will thank you later.
Pets
Pets like dogs or cats are standard and usually allowed in homes. If you have an exotic or unique pet like any sort of farm animals, insects, rodents, or reptiles, you might want to double check that your pet will be welcome on the property before you agree to move in.
Kitchen features
If you do most of your household’s cooking, you know what appliances and features that you like and don’t like. If you aren’t the primary chef, ask the person who is to create a list of things he or she wants and doesn’t want in the new kitchen. Use this list and compare it to any potential home’s kitchen before you move forward with your buying decision.
Buying or renting a new house should be a fun experience. If the above list items aren’t considered, the buying experience can be hindered by unsatisfied realizations that come after you have moved into the home. By the time these realizations set in, it’s often too late to back out and you’re left to deal with problems that could have been avoided.