Purchasing a home is a major milestone in many people’s lives. First-time homebuyers are particularly excited about the transition that will see them immediately disappear from the rental market and emerge as property owners in the blink of an eye. Yet the joy of buying a new home extends far beyond the first experience in this realm.
While first-timers may not have the chops required to ensure that they are purchasing exactly what they’re bargaining for, seasoned homeowners miss out on small details as well as a result of the excitement and tension that mixes together to create the chase for that perfect living space. The truth is that the average homeowner stays in their home for around thirteen years. This means that selecting a property that matches up with your needs and expectations is extremely important—after all, you’ll spend more than a decade navigating the property and either loving or loathing your daily rituals.
Whether you’re focused on selecting a home that boasts a perfectly centered focal point of a kitchen or one that includes a spectacular garden and patio space extending beyond the living room, seeking out properties that stand a cut above the market average is something you’ll come to relish as a homeowner.
System Functionality
Perhaps the most important thing you can check for in a home is its system efficiency and functionality. Elements of the home like the roof, AC unit, and windows are essential features and can cost you a pretty penny to replace or repair if you aren’t careful with the home. Many sales include older models or systems that may require a replacement during your time in the home—if you eventually decide to pull the trigger, that is.
This means that locking in a sale price that takes a sagging roof or AC system noises into account is a singularly important component of any decision to move forward on a property. No home will be entirely perfect, but a fair sale will incorporate a discount of some sort to offset the need to lash out cash on a new air conditioner, compressor, ductwork, or roofing shingles. When you walk into any home that’s for sale, you’ll need to stroll through the property, of course, but also ensure that you take the time to inspect the outdoor unit, listen for any hissing noise, rattling noise, or buzzing noise that emanates from the outdoor unit, ducts, compressor, and vents throughout the home.
Air conditioners require routine maintenance in order to make it to that average fifteen-year lifespan that many enjoy. Replacing an air conditioning unit isn’t cheap, so making an educated guess about the remaining lifetime of a home’s AC unit and fan motor, thermostat, and refrigerant levels in the compressor is crucial to putting in an offer that’s fair and takes into account the expected additional costs that are likely to accompany the purchase of the property.
Consider Upgrade Opportunities
The next thing that a prepared home shopper will look for is the set of upgrade opportunities that come along with the home. A property isn’t just a place to lay your head: It’s also a blank canvas upon which you will pour your style, memories, and tastes. It also acts as an enormous financial asset that you will want to lean on in the future for expanded buying opportunities. This is why routine maintenance by technicians and a well-kept set of functioning systems (roof, windows, air conditioner, etc.) are so important.
Looking to incorporate elements of your own style and upgraded amenities will give you the lifestyle you are seeking out as you move and boost the prospective resale price that you might expect to receive when you eventually move on again.
Look to these elements of a home in order to shortlist a few of the best properties on your search list before making your move.
