While moving into a new home can be exciting, it can also be fraught with a lot of uncertainty and stress. Simply finding a home that you love from the outside isn’t enough—you have to find a home that’s going to keep you safe and secure from the inside as well, which means that home as a structure has got to be in prime condition.
To help ensure that you don’t wind up buying or moving into a home that’s unsafe or unsuited for your needs, here are three things you should check before you move into a new home.
Safety Or Structural Issues
Some of the biggest things that you should concern yourself with are any safety or structural issues that either you see on your own or that are reported back to you through the official inspection of the home.
According to Julia Dellitt, a contributor to Forbes.com, inspections will likely always find something that isn’t working as it should be or needs immediate attention. When these issues involve things like the foundation of the home or other structural issues, it’s best to get them taken care of before you move in. While some fixes might be small, like foam jacking repair for a foundation, others might require much more time and money, so make sure you’re willing to make the investment before you move forward with moving in.
Mold Or Other Water Damage
Another issue you should check throughout a home before you move into it is if there’s any evidence of water damage in any location.
When looking for water damage, Cathie Ericson, a contributor to Realtor.com, shares that you should check walls, ceilings, and any other rooms where plumbing is present for things like rust, mold, leaks, or water stains. Additionally, you’ll want to take a look outside of the home to see if any drainage issues might bring potential issues with water damage in the future.
If you do notice mold or water damage, make sure you figure out if these issues have been dealt with or what the current owners plan to do to deal with it now, before you move in and take on these problems yourself.
All The Doors And Windows
One last area you should check before buying or moving into a new home, according to Kate Reggev, a contributor to Dwell.com, are all the doors and windows on the property.
While this might seem like a silly thing to do as you walk through a home, taking the time to open all the doors and windows will help you to see if there are any drafts throughout the home that you’ll either have to deal with or fix as a resident here. Also, if some of the windows won’t open, this could be a safety hazard.
If you’re going to be moving into a new home soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you check for red flags on the property before you move in.
