Home Buying Tips
When purchasing a home, there are many things that you should “keep an eye out for” so to speak. This article will be helpful information in avoiding someone from purchasing a home that may be very expensive to repair down the road. There are some products in a home that could be very costly to replace and people should know about these items and have them inspected before they purchase.
The first thing to look out for when purchasing a home, is the siding on the home. There is siding out there that is not good quality and can be very expensive to replace if need be. Watch out for L.P (Louisiana Pacific) and OSB (Oriented Strand Board) products. They have received a lot of bad press in terms of their life span and reliability.
The other thing to look out for would be the plumbing in the home. Certain systems are more prone to having certain problems than others. Galvanized water pipe is the most prone to rusting on the horizontal surfaces (floors) and it corrodes from the inside out. Some rigid plastic systems have been recalled, while others fared very well. Take the time to check the plumbing and see what plumbing system your potential home has.
The type of wiring in residential homes is important to check as well. Generally this depends on when the home was built, where it was built and if it has been updated. Look for the newer Romex-wrapped wiring, which is copper. This type of wiring has replaced outdated wiring and is a safer bet as well. It is always a good idea to speak to an electrician and/or inspector about the wiring in the home. A little homework today can save you a ton of money down the road.
Make sure that the home has Energy Efficient Windows. There are many types of windows including, single pane, double pane, thermo pane, triple pane, plain glass, leaded glass, low e glass, wired glass and tempered glass. Tempered glass windows are good against shattering. Fogged thermal pane windows may need to be replaced if their seals are broken, which again can be costly. The new argon gas filled windows are good for insulation and low energy bills.
There are many more factors to consider when purchasing a home, but these are just some of the more costly items that if in need of repair, can cost you. Purchasing homeowners insurance and understanding what that covers will help you avoid spending money out of pocket. Again, make sure to consult with a professional when purchasing a home because it can save a lot of money in the long run.
