Getting a new home is one of the most exciting things anyone can do! This is your chance to stop and make a property your own, and it's vital that you shop around. This is one of the most expensive investments of your life, so you have to do this right.
These are the top four features to look for in any new home and a few mistakes anyone should avoid making.
1. Energy Efficiency Throughout Your Home
One of the biggest things to look for is energy efficiency. This means windows that are sealed, extremely insulated areas throughout the basement, attic, and walls, and an HVAC system that can do anything you need it to.
If a home has solar energy, that's a major bonus because it's extremely expensive to install. Having it pre-installed in a property makes it a better choice for your future, but if it's not there and you want it, you can always check the house to see where you'd place it.
Smart thermostats are a huge selling piece because they allow you to control the heating and cooling of your home from anywhere in the world. This can cut down on your usage by a huge amount and save you a ton of money every year.
2. A Strong Base That Creates a Sturdy Property
Nobody wants to buy a home that's built on a weak base, but it's vital that you get the strongest base you can find. A property that's built on
insulated concrete forms is going to go up faster and stand stronger than any other building.
Make sure to research the company and read reviews. You should find one that knows what it's doing and is going to be there to help if you ever have questions or issues with the product.
3. Materials That Can Handle the Elements
Elements will wreak havoc on any property they can. This isn't new, but it's still something you should keep an eye out for.
Having a sump pump and water-resistant paint can stop moisture from destroying your house.
Fire-resistant roofing materials will kick that heat to the curb and give your home a chance to survive the worst type of accident that happens to these types of items. Adding high-quality gutters will stop ice and leaves from building up, which can eventually lead to foundation and basement issues.
Consider what you can do to protect your home, and look for a house that's already had those steps taken care of, if possible. If you can't find them, budget to build them yourself.
4. Attractive and Resilient Siding
Siding is one of the first lines of defense your house has against the outside world. When looking at a new home, make sure to look for a property that has good and recently added siding. Something strong and attractive, like
board and batten siding, sets the house apart from others in the neighborhood while still giving it a version of the classic look.
Check for common signs of siding issues, from cracking to warping, and ask how old it is. If the siding needs replacing, try to get the buyer to cover that while we're in a buyers' market.
Mistakes to Avoid
Although there are plenty of things you can look for in a home to make you want it, there are also things you should keep an eye out for. No property is perfect, so it's a balancing game of whether you can deal with these issues or not.
Water damage can ruin anything from carpet to hardwood, tile, stone, linoleum, wallpaper, and so much more. It can cause rust in some areas and splotches in others. Ask about any flood history, and be sure to take notes. You don't want a property that's flooded often.
Damaged wood, especially in outdoor areas, should be carefully inspected. Termites are extremely fast and can destroy your property value in no time. Although your home inspection should look for this, it's good to notice it before that happens.
Not checking after it rains can be a big issue. A property transforms in the rain and can show itself to flood easily or have major problems that are expensive and time-consuming to fix. Even if you love the land, see if you can wait until after it trains to still love it.
Doors that won't close and built-in features that don't seem to fit together can be a big sign that the foundation the home is built on is either cracking or broken already. This can lead to a large host of issues and is extremely expensive to fix.
Your Home Should Be Paradise
Although your future property might need a lot of work, it should be a space you're excited to live in. If you feel that connection with the property, and you're getting ready to call it home, then you can build it into whatever house you need it to be.
Max Shafer is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on real estate. He lives in Land O’ Lakes, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and researching real estate trends in his free time. Max’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in the New Year.
