What to look for before you buy/sell a home

Posted by Help Now on Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 at 5:34am.

Are you thinking about whether to buy/sell a home or other real estate in South Jordan, Utah? Here are some things to look for. Before you buy/sell a home, consider the neighborhood carefully. This factor has the biggest influence on a house’s value.

Consider the conditions of all the houses, as well as the streets, in your calculation before you buy/sell a home. Think about how close the area is to schools, parks, recreation, shopping and public transportation. If you love nature, consider how long it takes to get from the neighborhood to wild areas. Also think about how close together the houses are and consider the size of their lots..

Exterior

When you find a house for sale that appeals to you, consider who is selling it. A Realtor protects both buyers and sellers and is the best source of information about the age of the house, local ordinances, neighborhood value and other important factors. A Realtor is also legally and professionally required to disclose any potential problems with the property to anyone who wants to buy/sell a home.

Give the house a good look over. Start with the roof. Are the lines straight? Sagging areas and damaged or lifted shingles can mean the roof will need replacing soon. Check the windows and frames for peeling paint, cracks or other damage. Look out for flaking brick, cracks in the foundation, pitted or decaying mortar or damaged or misaligned siding.

Consider the condition of the lot and the landscaping. These are signs of how well the house has been maintained by its owners. Check that the grading assures good drainage of rain and melting snow.

Check the condition of the driveway, walk and steps before you buy a home. Carefully look at the downspouts and gutters. Make sure they’re securely attached and rust-free.

Does the house have an attached garage? That can be important in Utah’s winters.

Interior

When you’re viewing the inside of a house, consider the direction it faces. If you like a sunny breakfast nook, look for a kitchen that faces east or south. If you don’t like the sun waking you up in the morning, look for a north-facing master bedroom.

As you walk through the house, think about its flow. Is it easy to move from one area to another, or are there narrow places or bottlenecks that could be frustrating for a family living in the house together?

How much natural light is in the house? Look for large windows, skylights and other factors.

Are the rooms big enough for your family? Does the kitchen suit your family's main cook? Does it have features such as a good workflow, space for a microwave oven or the double sink that he or she is seeking? Is there enough room for more than one person in the work area? Ask these kinds of questions when considering whether to buy/sell a home.

Be conscious of storage space. Are there enough closets for clothes, lines, brooms, vacuums and the other things you'll need?

Before you buy/sell a home, ask whether there are enough bathrooms for your family. A powder room on the main floor can be a big bonus, even if your family is small.

Also look at the windows. Modern windows have double-glass panes and vinyl-clad frames. These provide better insulation, reducing your heating and cooling costs, and they last longer than old-fashioned windows with wood frames and single panes.

During your visit, look carefully for sagging ceilings and damaged floors. Look for mold or water stains around windows, on ceilings and baseboards, as well as inside cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms. Flaking paint or plaster can also mean leaks.

Don’t forget to inspect the basement before you buy/sell a home. If the floor is unfinished, look for large cracks. Hairline cracks in concrete floors can be expected, but wider ones could indicate a problem. The basement is another place to look carefully for signs of water damage.

Have a professional home inspector check the condition of plumbing, heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring, windows, doors and seals.

There’s a lot to think about when you want to buy/sell a home. When viewing real estate in South Jordan Utah, a Realtor will guide you to make sure you avoid mistakes and help you find the house that’s the perfect fit. You might just find the home of your dreams with Daybreak Living.

About the Author:

Utah Dave - Neighborhood ExpertUtah Dave - Daybreak Neighboorhood Expert and Local Resident

My friends nicknamed me Utah Dave in high school because they said it didn't matter where we went in Utah, I would know how to get there and who we needed to talk to. The name sticks today as UtahDave has formed into a professional real estate network of Neighborhood Experts all across the state. I live in Daybreak with my wife and 4 amazing children. I enjoy dancing (which is how I met my wife Dawn) as well as traveling, coaching, and learning.

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