Looking To Buy – A Second Home Buyer’s Checklist

Buying a second home is almost always cheaper than getting a new one built from scratch. Additionally, some of the older houses have a historical appeal to some of us, and that can certainly turn the tide in their favor. In any case, the potential buyer should be wary of buying straight away. There are many potential problems to spot, and this article covers just the most basic of those.
The easiest things to check are the electricity and plumbing. This needs to be checked with utmost care, since any repairs that will need to be done will require ripping open a few walls or floorboards. For plumbing, check how well toilets flush, whether the water that comes out of the taps or showerheads smells of rust, and whether the pipes rattle. Electricity is a bit tougher to check, because a working flow of current does not mean there aren’t any weak points along the line.
Are the gas pipes, if there are any, in good condition? Leaks in the gas pipes could lead to some serious fire hazards, so watch out. Speaking of gas, does the house have a heating system? If it does, then you will also need to check the pipes and ducts for leaks and obstructions.Keep a lookout for vermin. Rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, and the bane of wooden houses, termites, are all things that will undermine the value of the house. Sanitation issues aside, these pests can cause damage to the structure itself. Small holes in plywood sections can be caused by rats, while termites can weaken the very structure of the house, not to mention ruin the antique furniture and other wooden pieces.
If the house is in an area that experiences earthquakes, then the house should be checked for structural integrity. It is possible that earthquakes caused the earth underneath to shift, and that means potential problems for the foundation of the house. Though it should be the responsibility of the seller to identify this, the buyer could also suggest it or conduct an independent inquiry. The same problem of shifting earth could happen in areas with lots of rainfall, where water seeping into the ground can change the properties of the underlying earth. This will be rather costly, but it can save you a lot of money just in case something does go wrong.
Check for anything else that would require repairs or replacements. Light fixtures, stair steps and banisters, doors, locks, hinges, gutters, windows, basically everything. Will repainting or varnishing for wooden surfaces be needed? One needs to be very meticulous about checking these, or else you might end up running up repair costs far higher than one might have expected. Remember that you will most likely be living in this new home for a significant length of time, so try to plan ahead and foresee any potential problems.
Make sure to discuss anything you spot with the seller, so you can come to a mutual agreement that satisfies both parties.Foundations, wiring, plumbing, and vermin are the first points to consider when planning to buy a second home, but there are so many others to watch out for. For real estate ideas, take a look at Foreclosed Homes in Scottsdale , Homes in Foreclosure in Fountain Hills and Foreclosed Homes for Sale in Chandler