Is 2024 the year that you buy a home? If so, you’re making a good decision, as a home purchase means that you’ll have control over your living space and have a worthy investment that you could pass down to heirs one day. When it comes to buying a home, there’s so much to consider. Luckily, there are questions helping home buyers make the ideal purchase decisions they won’t regret. Read on to see what some of these questions are that you can ask yourself and others.
1. When Was This Roof Installed?
The last thing you want is to buy a house that has an unstable roof. Helping home buyers involves letting them know everything possible about making roofing decisions. Your local roofer should be a trained, licensed professional who can give you the ends and outs of the best roofing for your home. They should understand the best type of roofing to use due to climate or the size of your home. All roofing contractors aren’t created equally, as they have different specialties when it comes to materials.
The type of material used on a roof plays a role in how weary you should be about the age of the roof. For example, asphalt shingles are still the number one roofing in the United States. After all, it’s a versatile material that’s also very recyclable. However, when it comes to lifespan, it lasts about 20 years before needing replacement. On the other hand, materials such as metal and slate can easily last 40 to 70 years, according to Bob Vila. When your roof is made from ceramic tiling, it can last up to 100 years. Therefore, if your home has a metal roof that is 20 years old, it still has a long way to go compared to an asphalt roof of the same age.
2. Is This Area Often Impacted by Storm Damage?
It’s no secret that storms have been increasing in intensity over the past number of years. Thanks to global warming, a snowstorm or hurricane can be larger than normal. Therefore, helping home buyers involves letting them know about how often devastating storms impact the area. People should understand the best ways to waterproof their homes and spot signs that the area may be about to flood.
Did you know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) provides flood maps that you can use? These maps show the likelihood an area has for flooding. According to FEMA, an area with a 1% chance or higher of an annual flood is considered a high-risk area. The National Flood Insurance Program has made community flood maps available online. You can even contact your local county planning department or your local geologist to see if they have any info regarding potential flooding hazards.
If your home has a lower level, like a basement, you should ensure it’s as sturdy as possible to resist the impact of potential storms or floods. Let basement waterproofing contractors work their magic by reinforcing walls, floors, and foundations. If your home doesn’t already have a sump pump, you can have a basement specialist install one as it can continuously pump water away from the basement even if electricity is shut down.
3. Has This House Ever Had Plumbing Issues?
Always inquire about the quality of the pipes in your home. According to the EPA, lead pipes were outlawed in the United States in 1986. As a result of this ban, the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended to include the prohibition of the use of any lead in public water systems. The reason why lead is no longer allowed in our water systems is because of the significant damage it can do to the body. Your kidneys, brain, and red blood cells can suffer damage as lead builds up over the years. It has particularly caused harm to many young children and pregnant women.
Are you considering buying an older home in certain parts of the city? If so, do your due diligence and make sure those pipes are tested for the presence of lead. After all, certain areas may have not had their piping system updated. Going this extra mile can ensure that you and your family’s health is as protected as possible. Plus, there can be other damage from plumbing and water that you’ll have to worry about, so don’t make lead one of those issues!
Even if your potential home is free of lead pipes, there may have been other common problems such as leaks. You should ask if there’s ever been a busted pipe, or if pipes tend to freeze over in the winter. Has there ever been a major leak that has caused damage in the home? After all, water damage can be significantly harsh when it comes to your structural foundation and drywall. Water damage makes itself known by the presence of dark, wet spots on your ceilings and upper walls. Pipes that have cracks and other vulnerabilities lead to leaky pipes that cause massive water waste. Billions of gallons of water are wasted every year in the United States, according to the EPA. By ensuring you have a strong plumbing system and schedule plumbers to do their regular inspections and maintenance, you reduce the likelihood of such water waste. As a result, you can save money on your monthly water bill.
4. Does This House Use a Septic Tank?
Helping home buyers involves sanitation, such as what’s involved in a septic system. If you’re interested in buying a home that relies on a septic system, you should understand that you’re responsible for maintaining it. According to Bob Vila, a septic tank needs pumping at least once every three to five years. Failure to maintain your septic system can result in not only a health hazard for your home but the surrounding environment. For example, if you ever have a septic tank leak, it can seep into the soil, which could eventually get into the local water supply. As a result, your home could become an environmental waste hazard and you’ll end up being fined due to the damage caused to the local area.
However, you can maintain your septic tank by enlisting the services of the right contractors. You can also look out for signs of problems such as clogged drains, gurgling noises in pipes, or nasty smells reminiscent of sewage or rotten eggs. You should also look out on your drainage field to see if you notice any unusually green patches. Those green patches can appear due to the extra fertilization that occurs when the sewage rises to the surface. When you purchase a home with a septic tank, just understand that you must be on the lookout for the potential of waste leakage and be ready to handle it quickly. Otherwise, you’ll have a very expensive foul-smelling issue on your hands that can make your property unlivable.
5. When Were These Current Windows Installed?
Strong windows are essential in any home. Have you noticed that your windows are one of the few features that are highly visible both inside and outside your home? While you’re likely concerned about the aesthetic quality of these highly visible elements, you should initially focus on just how sturdy they are. After all, your windows aren’t just for looking outside, they also help to protect your home.
By having strong quality windows that have proper chalking and weatherproofing, you can ensure that intruders, pests, and the elements don’t get inside your precious home. Recommendations for window replacements are essential in helping home buyers protect their homes from such problems.
The lifespan of windows can vary based on their overall quality and purpose. Windows can come in a variety of materials, ranging from pure glass to fiberglass. Trimmings can come in vinyl, wood, aluminum, etc. Don’t forget about window styles such as accordion windows, sliding windows, or French-style ones. Always consider the type of weather conditions you have in your area. After all, if you live in an area that has harsh winters and frequent storms, then any home you buy should either have storm windows or you should budget to install them soon after you move in.
The average lifespan for good windows is about a couple of decades. However, if they’re over 20 years old, they may no longer be as efficient as they once were. Plus, with today’s technology, you have more access to energy-efficient windows than ever. If your home comes with outdated single-pane windows. You should look into double-pane ones for greater protection and energy efficiency that can help insulate your home and lower those bills.
6. When Was the Driveway Last Sealed?
A properly sealed driveway is essential for curb appeal and safety. A driveway with cracks and potholes is a safety and liability issue as anyone can trip and hurt themselves. Plus, these same potholes and cracks can do a number on your tires as you’re driving toward the garage. Helping home buyers stay safe is a good way to ensure they have a good home purchase experience and ongoing quality of life.
How often should home buyers seal their driveway? According to Bob Vila, sealcoating should be done about every two years if you have a great deal of traffic or heavy vehicles such as large trucks. However, if the pavement is still in good condition, then the protective layer can last up to two decades.
7. Does This House Have Central AC?
A reliable HVAC system is essential for keeping your home comfortable year-round. Whether you’re trying to starve off humidity during the summer or prevent yourself from freezing during the winter, your local HVAC company can give you the quality system and regular maintenance you need. According to the CDC, over 11,000 Americans have died from a heat-related illness since 1979. Make sure you and your family don’t go through such a situation when summer approaches in 2024.
8. How Many Cars Can Fit in the Garage?
A quality garage is essential for protecting your cars from the elements, as well as theft. Helping home buyers protect their cars can be a good way to ensure they feel comfortable in their homes. After all, people may not want to park on the street, even in a relatively safe neighborhood. If you collect cars and want to keep them all safely in your garage, you may want a space that can hold more than one of them.
As you look for a new home or think about ways to adjust it, consider garage door companies and what they can do for you. Even if you don’t like your existing garage door or the amount of space you have, the right garage contractor can fix that. Maybe you want a more rustic garage door, an ornate one made from metal, or one of transparent fiberglass to show off your cars or your workshop skills.
9. Is There Enough Yard Space to Build a Shed?
Helping home buyers have the space they need to be creative or make home additions is essential to making their home feel like an oasis. There are many reasons why a homeowner may be interested in building sheds. After all, a shed can often double as a workspace to tinker around with various projects. Some people may use their shed as their official work-from-home space. People can also get creative with a shed and finish it off for an outdoor guest bedroom. If the man of the house has the basement as their man cave, maybe the lady may decide to use a “she shed” for hers.
Helping home buyers make their home-hunting process easier is essential to finding the home of their dreams. Buying a first home is a rite of passage most people should experience. After all, home ownership ensures that you have control over your space as well as use it as a worthy investment. If you’re buying a home in 2024, use this guide to know the type of questions you should ask to ensure you find the property that’s right for you. Happy home hunting!
