Looking for a home to buy can be a very exciting process, but also stressful, as it is a big decision and represents a significant financial expense. Sometimes we may fall in love with a property because it is in a specific neighborhood or because it has some special features. But, do we consider the amount we will have to spend to renovate it?
Nowadays, thanks to technology, real estate agencies can offer different options to buyers, according to their criteria of price, size, location, etc., with interactive maps, as can be seen in this Welmo review. With these possibilities, we can already exclude certain properties; however, others may be of great interest to us and we will book a tour to see them. What should we focus on? It is obvious that a first visit does not allow you to take all the time necessary to make the necessary checks. But we can still observe some aspects that, later, could become expensive works during the renovation.
Depending on what we see, we can use this to rule out the purchase or negotiate a better price. One of the most obvious examples is wet on walls and ceilings (sometimes also on the floor). Dampness can have very different origins and circumstances. They can be old and dry, because they arise from problems that have already been solved a long time ago. Or they may be fairly new and the problem is still present. Depending on where they are located, they will have an internal cause (leaks in the plumbing installation or drains) or external (poor waterproofing, infiltration from neighbors, etc.).
It is necessary to be a good observer
Of course, it is not always easy to quantify the seriousness of the problem if we are not experts. The same applies to cracks in ceilings and walls. It can be common for them to appear over the years and not be of much importance; but they can also be caused by structural problems that are complex and expensive to solve. For these situations, it is best to seek advice from an expert, such as an architect, who could accompany us in future visits to the property.
Electrical installation should be a priority in our inspections. If this facility is outdated or not working well, it will become a very significant expense during the renovation. But, how can we know if this facility is in good condition? Usually, near the entrance is the electrical panel; We will be able to observe if the lines are well differentiated and if they are equipped with adequate protection. It is also recommended to check if there are enough electrical outlets or switches, as well as the lighting in the house.
Will we be comfortable?
We may be looking for a house in a new city or neighborhood that we don’t know very well yet. This can also affect the renewal. For what? Because noise and temperature are very important for the comfort of residents. Let’s say we move into a house where the winters are very cold and the windows have very thin glass or don’t close properly. Or that the new neighborhood has schools and bars nearby and the noise is constant, but the house is not well insulated.
To avoid these problems, it is best to learn about the surroundings of the farm, visit several times (at different times) and check the windows and other insulating elements. Of course, we can think that with a suitable air conditioner we could solve part of these problems. This is true, but we will not achieve sufficient comfort, because there will be very significant temperature differences between the different areas of the house; In addition, energy consumption could also increase significantly. Ultimately, this will become a cost to consider.
The kitchen and bathrooms
These two areas are very important to our life in property. Not only because of their aesthetic characteristics; these are also areas where cleanliness and hygiene are essential. And these are wet areas of the house. Therefore, it is necessary to check that there are no plumbing problems and bad smells. It is also possible that some outlets in these parts may not work properly due to water. Or the faucets are damaged.
In the kitchen, furniture may be old and in need of replacement; anyway, doing our own cooking when we move is the norm. And the same thing can happen with doors and floors; even if we don’t like their state of preservation, we will probably replace them; therefore it is better to focus on the most fundamental aspects and not be guided only by aesthetic tastes.
Other useful tips
The interior of the farm is not the only thing we have to pay attention to. The external condition is also important. If it is a house, we will probably have to cover all the costs of the repairs. And if it is an apartment in a building, sooner or later it will have to be renovated, which means that we will have to participate in the work. This also applies to other aspects, such as the building elevator, the entrance, the roof, etc.
As we have said before, one visit is not enough. For example, to check for signs of moisture, we may need to move some furniture or parts of the ceiling. It is unlikely that the real estate agency will allow us to carry out all these checks the first time. That’s why it’s best to create a “checklist” that we complete at each visit. Obviously, we will not revisit certain properties, but in other cases it may be interesting to deepen the diagnosis.
And when we are really interested in a property, it is best to visit it with a professional, such as an architect, who can advise us and give us a rough estimate of the renovation works that we will have to carry out. The important thing is to be prudent to avoid unexpected future expenses.