Viewing Homes? Here Are Some Things To Look At!

Over the past year, I've noticed that for many of my buyers, diving into the housing market hasn't been a walk in the park (to put it lightly!).  Navigating through a competitive market with cash offers, waived appraisals and skipped inspections can be quite the challenge.

Now, I get it - waiving inspections and appraisals might make some buyers uneasy.  Some have opted for a "Walk and Talk" approach, where an inspector joins them during home viewings.  However, hiring an inspector for every single home visit can quickly add up.  The good news is, there are a few things you can keep an eye out for while touring a house to spot any potential red flags!  Here are some helpful tips to consider!

EXAMINE THE EXTERIOR

Walk around the house and take a close look at some things:

• Siding:  if the house has wood or hardboard siding, is there peeling paint?  If the house has vinyl siding, is there mold on the siding?  If it is a brick home, look at the brick to make sure there are no large gaps!
• Roof:  if the house has composition shingles, do you see shingles that have nail pops on them?  Are there missing shingles on the roof?  Have the shingles gone from black to gray or to white?  
• HVAC Units:  if the house has central air, or a heat pump, look at the outside units - do they look old?  What is the SEER rating on them - I have seen many houses which have a unit with a SEER of 10 - in 2003 the minimum SEER rating changed to 13, while in 2023 the minimum SEER rating changed to 14.  Having a SEER rating of 10 means that these are older units!
• Foundation Walls:  Most homes in this area either have a crawl space or a basement!  Check the foundation wall for cracks.  Small hairline cracks generally mean that the house has settled, but if you see large gaps that could indicate a structural problem!

INSIDE, INSPECT FOR LEAKS

Once you come inside the house, you want to see if there are any leaks in the house, which could indicate some plumbing issues!

• Look at the flooring around the toilets to see if there are water stains around the toilet!
• Open up the cabinets and check to see if there is water stains under the sinks!
• Turn on the faucets and check if there are leaks!
• Turn on the tub or shower, flush the toilet and turn on the water in the sink to see how the water pressure in that room is!

INSIDE, OTHER THINGS TO LOOK AT

While inside the house, there are other things you may want to check out:

• Do the doors stick or refuse to latch properly?
• Do the floors look even - I have had buyers actually roll a marble down the floors to see if they are even or uneven!
• Sniff each room - are there odors in the room such as pet, smoke, mold, mildew - if the seller has some very strong scents in the house, it may be that they are trying to hide something!
• While you are sniffing each room, take a look at the floors, the ceilings, the walls to see if you see any damage that you should be concerned about!
• If the house has vinyl windows, check to see if any of them are cloudy, which may indicate that the energy efficiency seals have broken!
• Try to open and close the windows - if they stick or don't close properly it could indicate foundation issues or even wrong installation!
• If the house has hardwood floors, lift up corners of the rugs to see if there is damage to the floors or pet damage!
• When looking at the walls, do you notice any cracks?  Are there cracks in the corners of the door frames?  
• If the house has a basement, check the walls and the floors for signs of mold or water!

DOES THE HOME NEED UPDATING OR RENOVATION?

In the Richmond area, there are many older homes, especially in the City of Richmond!  Many of these homes may need renovation and/or updating!  If you are considering a house that needs to be renovated or updated, make sure you are prepared for the tasks ahead!

FINALLY, DOES THE HOUSE MEET YOUR FAMILY'S NEEDS?

Buying a home is more than just buying a house!  It is investing in something that will work for your entire family!  Make sure the location, the neighborhood, the layout, the yard space, the commute to work, the schools - and more - are right for your family!  

Feel free to check out these things during your typical 30 minute viewing window.  Plus, your Buyer Agent will be right there with you, helping spot these details and making sure the house feels like the perfect fit for you!  

Taking note of these things will help you gauge your comfort level with the home, whether you're ready to make an offer and possibly consider waiving inspections or certain repairs.  If the initial viewing reveals things that don't sit well with you, it's probably a sign that this might not be your dream home.  Always chat with your Buyer Agent about any concerns or questions - they're here to make sure you find the perfect place!

Have questions?  Feel free to connect and let's chat!