The best Nanaimo real estate agents who work with buyers will help you understand what to look for when previewing a home for the first time. Having a previewing strategy is important so that you can quickly decide if it’s a good match for your family and your budget.
Here are six important things to check when previewing a home to buy in Nanaimo.
1. Floor plan and size of rooms
You already know the square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms of the home you’re previewing, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. It’s important for your new home to have a layout the works for the entire family. While it’s true that most interior walls and doors can be moved, it’s never as easy or inexpensive as it look on TV.
2. Storage space
We’ve all heard stories about people moving into a new home and having to rent space from a storage company because there’s not enough storage space in the house. When you’re previewing a home be sure to open up all of the cabinets and closets and inspect the attic and basement to see if the house has enough space for storage.
3. Odors or other strange smells
Cigarette and pet odors may seem unimportant. But Nanaimo real estate agents will tell you that odors like these are sometimes impossible to get rid of because they work their way underneath the paint, ceiling, and floors of a house. Mold and mildew are two other smells you can easily detect. If they’re strong enough to smell it’s also a red flag that the house may cause health problems after you move in.
4. Cracks in the walls or floors
Wide cracks in the walls or foundation of a house can be a sign of water damage or unusual settling of the house. A warped or “soft” floor can mean rotting wood or termite damage, while signs of water leaks and damage include “bubbles” on the walls or ceiling. In addition to creating structural damage, water leaks also create black mold and mildew that will get worse over time.
5. Illegal construction and additions
One technique that sellers use to make a home cost more is to increase the square footage. However, make sure that you’re not paying for extra square footage that you’ll end up having to remove because the additions were done without the necessary paperwork and permits. Ask the seller for written proof permits were obtained and contractors were paid in full and verify by double checking with the city planning department for any work that was done by the seller.
6. Talk to the neighbors
Don’t be afraid to walk around the neighborhood and talk to the neighbors. It’s a great way to learn useful information about the area that you may not already know. Be sure to visit the neighborhood in night and on weekends too, to learn what the neighborhood’s really like when people aren’t at work.
Things you shouldn’t worry about
Here are a few things you don’t need to worry about when previewing your new home:
- Furniture, pictures, knick-knacks and decor because, let’s face it, not everybody has the same sense of personal style.
- Wall color and flooring can easily be changed even after you move into your home by working on one room at a time.
- Fixtures and hardware in the bathrooms, kitchen, and cabinets can also be easily and inexpensively updated to more modern choices after you own the home.
- Bathroom or kitchen design that isn’t perfect is alright, as long as the size and layout fit your needs. Plus, these are two of the renovations you can do that will improve the value of your home when the time comes to sell.
