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As a homebuyer, you will provide your agent with a list of needs and wants in a home. Your real estate agent will do their best to bring you to see homes that meet the criteria you asked for. However, there’s no guarantee that a home will have a history of being properly cared for.
Your real estate agent can choose the homes you see, but they have no control over the property owner’s homeownership habits. So, how can you tell if a Seattle or Denver home is in good condition and has been properly maintained by the seller?
Home maintenance should matter to you as a homebuyer and later on as a homeowner. A home needs consistent and proper maintenance in order to run efficiently, and that doesn’t only apply to moving parts like the HVAC system. If a home isn’t looked after, it begins to break down.
Just as a poorly maintained vehicle will eventually strand its owner on the side of the road, a poorly maintained home will eventually fail to properly house its occupants. Not only that but if repairs and replacements are required sooner rather than later, you’ll be spending a lot more than you bargained for when you first bought the home. Thus, ensuring that a home in Washington or Oregon is in good condition can help you save money and the hassle of expensive repairs down the road.
A home that hasn’t been cared for will easily give up its secrets to a discerning homebuyer. Yet, on the other hand, you can tell if a home has been cherished and well-maintained over the years.
Having maintenance warranties in place would be a big selling feature for homebuyers in Colorado and Idaho. Moreover, it indicates the owner understands the power of proactive maintenance. These warranties can also provide you with some peace of mind knowing that the property is likely in good shape and will not need any major repairs in the near future.
Solid, quality flooring indicates that the owner has shored up the subfloor beneath tile, removed carpet spills expeditiously, and replaced cracked, peeling or missing planks or tiles. The flooring of a home makes a big difference in the overall aesthetics of the interior, so having good quality flooring is a big plus.
No signs of basement water damage may signify that owner has installed a sufficient sump pump or other drainage solutions, applied basement waterproofing, or taken additional steps to ensure a dry basement. This is a big deal because water damage in a basement can be very costly to fix, so it’s important to know that the basement is void of any moisture issues before you agree to buy the home.
A finished basement shows that the owner has taken care to improve the home where possible and that the owner trusts their basement possessions will be safe from water damage. Plus, that finished area can add to the usable space in your home in Boise or Portland, giving you more room for various purposes.
A straight roof line means that there is likely no sagging roof problem that hasn’t already been addressed. Again, a roof replacement can be very costly, so not having to repair this major component of a home can save you thousands of dollars.
Mature, healthy plantings are a sign that the owner has given thought and care to the surrounding landscape over a long period of time. Curb appeal speaks volumes, and lots of lush greenery that has been regularly tended to can boost the perceived value of the home, not to mention its visual appeal.
Sound gutters in good condition show that the owner has taken steps to ensure proper roof drainage and prevent possible water damage. This system plays a key role in protecting the home from water issues and should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it is able to continue doing its job over the long haul.
These are all positive signs for a prospective homebuyer. Of course, you must still pay attention to the home inspection report. But odds are if you see all these signs, you’re probably looking at a new home that will serve your needs for many years to come.
Are you considering buying a home in the near future? Sammamish Mortgage can help. We are a local mortgage company serving borrowers in Washington state, Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon. We are proud to offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria. Please contact us if you have any questions or are ready to start the mortgage application process.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.