It’s safe to say that if you have been working from home for some time you might very well be sick of those four walls. But you may very well be on the lookout for your dream home, in which case, if you are one of the many people who are looking to move on, when you find a dream home, or a house with “good bones” it’s important to remember that it’s not just about the feeling you get, you’ve got to be eagle-eyed and find underlying issues. What are some of the things you need to keep an eye out for?
Problems with Pests
Sometimes, we can look at the house and think that it’s great, but we have to remember that there are undetected problems, such as termites and rats that could be lurking in the attic. You need to look for signs of pests, for example odd smells and droppings. Additionally, there are other problem pests that we may not necessarily think are a big issue. For example, moths. Moths are attracted to warm and humid spaces. If the property doesn’t see much sunlight, this could attract moths and to certain rooms. While carpet moth killer kits can help solve your problem, it’s important to be eagle-eyed and see if there are any areas where they can thrive.
Mold and Mildew
You need to check for signs of mold in the corners of rooms, basement, attic, and the ceilings, as well as any areas around sources of water. Mold is a particularly big problem because it’s going to have an adverse effect on your health, no matter how healthy you are. Usually, we can get rid of mold by airing that room, but if there’s a crack in the wall or gaps in the window where moisture creeps in, these need to be addressed as a priority.
Environmental Problems
Homes built before the 1970s may contain a number of hazardous materials. Many homes have been built with asbestos, and paints used to contain lead. Many home inspectors will not test for these things unless they are asked to, and it’s important that if you suspect any signs of toxins like radon or asbestos, you should never try to fix these problems yourself.
Issues With the Foundations and the Roof
The home should be solid from the top to the bottom. Signs of a damaged roof can put the kibosh on your dream home because of the sheer cost involved in fixing it. Sometimes, roofs just need new shingles, but if the foundation is cracked, this isn’t just detrimental to the sale of the property but can be hazardous to the structure.
The Neighborhood
This is a problem that we can overlook because we are looking for an amazing home, not an amazing neighborhood. Sometimes we think that the home will override any other exterior problems. Make sure you get a good feel for the place, but also consider the community at large. If this is your dream home, it needs to be in a great location as well! It’s not going to help if you have nightmare neighbors or experience noise problems at all hours.
