Wow. I had to stop and think. We've actually bought like three houses. I feel old!
1. Electrical wiring (in some states, if you have knob & tube wiring, you have to get it replaced before you can get homeowner's insurance. In some states... you don't. Ohio is one where you do. *g*) 2. Plumbing - lead pipes? MUST BE REPLACED. Copper is okay, not ideal if lead solder was used. My dad, the plumber, believes that PVC is underrated and replaces our pipes with PVC whenever he gets a chance. 3. Age of furnace, water heater, a/c 4. Appliances - if they stay, do they WORK? Are they CLEAN? If the seller offers to replace the stove, for instance, tell him or her thanks, but no thanks, b/c they will buy the cheapest stove they can. Agree on an amount and buy your own stove. 5. Get the insurance thing - you can buy it yourself if the buyer doesn't offer it. It's about $350 and covers most major things, like the furnace or the appliances (washer/dryer), water heater, a/c, etc. It's a good peace of mind thign to have for the first year or so. 6. Lead paint. You probably will have some in an older house. Seal it in and paint over it. It's not the end of the world. People have made it into a bigger deal than it is. My dad says that it's more dangerous to remove it, or try to, than to just seal it in and paint over it.
How will you get the groceries into the house? No, seriously - this is one of my dad's big things.
Off street parking? I dont' know where you are looking, but this is a big deal in parts of our city. *g*
ROOF! And if the roof is "newer" was it put on right?
A home inspector really is a great investment because he or she will think of things that you won't.
Older houses = sturdier construction. So if you live in a noisy neighbourhood, an older house will be somewhat quieter. Our first house was a condo that shared a wall. We could hear the other people sneeze. It was VERY not fun. And even stand-alone houses that were built in the past 10-20 years have thinner walls and less noise shielding.
What's the house made of? Are you going to have to paint it? Powerwash it? Is it stucco? Brick?
Yard! Can the yard be fenced? What are the easements? Do you want to fence it? Do you have time to keep it up? How much of a lawn is there, and who is going to mow it? If you have a dog, is a fenced yard a deal breaker?
Is there a gas station/convenience store within a reasonable distance? Where will you grocery shop? If your kids will ride the bus, is the neighbourhood safe enough for them to walk to and from your house? What about parks? Sidewalks? How close are you to the interstate? Are there other kids in the neighbourhood?
Take all or none of this - I am just throwing out things that have occurred to us before or after house purchases.
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timeasmymeasure
(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-16 07:44 pm (UTC)1. Electrical wiring (in some states, if you have knob & tube wiring, you have to get it replaced before you can get homeowner's insurance. In some states... you don't. Ohio is one where you do. *g*)
2. Plumbing - lead pipes? MUST BE REPLACED. Copper is okay, not ideal if lead solder was used. My dad, the plumber, believes that PVC is underrated and replaces our pipes with PVC whenever he gets a chance.
3. Age of furnace, water heater, a/c
4. Appliances - if they stay, do they WORK? Are they CLEAN? If the seller offers to replace the stove, for instance, tell him or her thanks, but no thanks, b/c they will buy the cheapest stove they can. Agree on an amount and buy your own stove.
5. Get the insurance thing - you can buy it yourself if the buyer doesn't offer it. It's about $350 and covers most major things, like the furnace or the appliances (washer/dryer), water heater, a/c, etc. It's a good peace of mind thign to have for the first year or so.
6. Lead paint. You probably will have some in an older house. Seal it in and paint over it. It's not the end of the world. People have made it into a bigger deal than it is. My dad says that it's more dangerous to remove it, or try to, than to just seal it in and paint over it.
How will you get the groceries into the house? No, seriously - this is one of my dad's big things.
Off street parking? I dont' know where you are looking, but this is a big deal in parts of our city. *g*
ROOF! And if the roof is "newer" was it put on right?
A home inspector really is a great investment because he or she will think of things that you won't.
Older houses = sturdier construction. So if you live in a noisy neighbourhood, an older house will be somewhat quieter. Our first house was a condo that shared a wall. We could hear the other people sneeze. It was VERY not fun. And even stand-alone houses that were built in the past 10-20 years have thinner walls and less noise shielding.
What's the house made of? Are you going to have to paint it? Powerwash it? Is it stucco? Brick?
Yard! Can the yard be fenced? What are the easements? Do you want to fence it? Do you have time to keep it up? How much of a lawn is there, and who is going to mow it? If you have a dog, is a fenced yard a deal breaker?
Is there a gas station/convenience store within a reasonable distance? Where will you grocery shop? If your kids will ride the bus, is the neighbourhood safe enough for them to walk to and from your house? What about parks? Sidewalks? How close are you to the interstate? Are there other kids in the neighbourhood?
Take all or none of this - I am just throwing out things that have occurred to us before or after house purchases.