Don’t Fall for a Money Pit

Don’t wait until you’ve moved in to discover that your home’s a money pit!

It’s sometimes easy to fall in love with what appears to be your dream home but it’s important that your heart doesn’t rule the decision-making process. Here are a few areas that you’ll want to pay extra attention to:

Off-Putting

Routine home maintenance that’s been ignored can be a red flag. If certain issues aren’t dealt with early on, they can result in costly repairs down the road.

Rotting Roof

Roof leaks can be difficult to spot so if possible, inspect the underside of the roof in the attic as it will be much easier to identify potential issues.

Cracking Up

Check hard surface flooring for large cracks as well as around windows and doors as they could indicate a possible shifting of the foundation.

Root It Out

Take a look outside and examine the proximity of trees to the home as roots that are too close to the foundation could cause problems.

Basement Beware

Determine the age of the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and how well they’ve been maintained. Also, be on the alert for musty smells or signs of moisture.

When it comes to buying a home, it’s a good idea to get a home inspection but in a competitive market, many buyers are choosing to waive that option in order to make their offer more attractive. It’s therefore important to pay extra attention when you’re out touring homes.

Buying a home can be stressful at the best of times, so check your emotions at the door and do your due diligence in order to avoid ugly surprises after you move in. It’s also important to budget for any unexpected expenses that might come up afterwards.

If you ever have any questions about the Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, you’ll definitely want to have a professional onside to help you navigate the ever-changing market.