It’s always essential to have a list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” when searching for a new home. But it seems that with so many important features to inspect—kitchens, bathrooms, closet space, HVAC system and more—there are always less obvious ones that slip our mind…until the home is already ours. Here’s the top ten list. Which ones have you forgotten?
1. Cell Signal
If you’ve already ditched the landline and become accustomed to cell phones only, then you probably want to make sure you have a good signal in areas of the home where you’ll spend the most time. Any kind of building structure can face a “dead spot” in the home, that is, an area where the signal is weak or non-existent. You don’t want to have to sit outside on the back deck in the middle of winter, for example, just to take a call.
2. Water Pressure
Some people are picky about water pressure—whether it’s too low or too hard. Yet only a small percentage of buyers turn on faucets and showers to check the pressure. While it may not be a deal-breaker for you, it can become a big annoyance. And you could be in for some expensive plumbing fixes to improve the situation.
3. Commute to Work During Rush Hour
Perhaps you’ve clocked the driving time from your potentially new home to your place of work and it only appears to be around twenty minutes. But have you tried it during morning and evening rush hour traffic? Rush-hour traffic can easily double the driving time done in any other hour. If you’re not accustomed to the roads you’ll need to drive to and from work, make sure you test the drive yourself to get an accurate read on whether the commute time meets your level of acceptability.
4. Noise
Whatever time of day you view a house, realize that the surroundings could be quite different in terms of noise at other times of the day. Perhaps you’re near a busy street which is ten times louder in the morning than the middle of the day. Maybe there’s a nearby school stadium that hosts games with lots of cheering, bullhorns, and music during practices and games. Or maybe a neighbor practices with his band from midnight until three a.m. every day. Take note of the surrounding businesses, schools, and through-streets that could generate noise levels that you find unlivable. Also, you may even want to pop by the neighborhood late at night a few times to see if any of the neighbors are noisy night owls.
5. Bedroom to Bathroom Ratio
People with large families aren’t likely to forget to figure out how many bedrooms they need. But occasionally they will forget how much time their kids spend in bathrooms and will underestimate how many bathrooms they need. And people without kids sometimes only consider what they need for themselves. What if you do have kids in the future? What if you have guests in the home or a mother-in-law needs an extended stay? Make sure the ratio is appropriate for your situation now and in the near future.
6. Room to Expand
Perhaps you’re choosing a prime location and what you can afford might need to expand in the future to fit your family’s needs. If this is a possibility you’ve considered, make sure you choose a home that has room to expand. Check out the land, proximity to neighbors, and what part of the house would be feasible to expand.
7. Resale Value
Consider elements surrounding your home that could deter future buyers from purchasing the one you’re about to buy. Is the home in a school district that struggles to get necessary tax levies? Does the home back up to a busy street that’s expanding lanes? Is the neighborhood experiencing any revitalization issues? All of these things can negatively affect resale value.
8. Neighbors
You’ve heard the saying: you can’t choose your neighbors. Well, you can at least try to meet them before buying. Knock on the door and introduce yourself. You may get all the information you need. You can also check out how they maintain the outside of their home. Is it well-kept or obviously neglected? Perhaps the driveway looks like a parking lot for worn out cars. Only you can decide what’s a deal-breaker for your family.
9. Association Rules and Fees
They’re not just for condos. Single family homes can also be subject to HOAs fees that cover maintenance of common areas as well as rules for what you can or can’t do to your home and land. Be sure your Realtor® gets all of the necessary information for your review within the allotted timeframe of a purchase contract. And make sure you read the documents!
10. Day vs. Night in the Neighborhood
If you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood, make sure you have a good grasp of what it’s like both day and night. For example, maybe it feels perfectly safe during the day, but the vibe changes considerably at night. Or maybe it’s near college housing where late-night partying occurs frequently. Make a few trips at different times of the day and night to get a feel for how the community lives.