So you’re buying a home—congrats! Investing in a house is an awesome way to build wealth. But buying a home can feel a lot like gambling if you’re not sure how to spot a potential money pit.
Good news is, knowing what to look for when buying a home is pretty simple. Of course, there are some general things to look for when buying a house, like size, school district and neighborhood vibe.
But once you’re settled on all that, you’ll need to know if a home has good bones—is it built to last or about to fall over? Here’s our list of the seven important things you should look for in a house to help answer that question—so you can feel confident you’ve got a rock-solid home.
7 Key Things to Look for When Buying a House
Before we launch into the nitty-gritty of what to look for when buying a home, make sure you’re financially (and emotionally) ready to buy a house. Once you’ve got the green light to start searching for a house, look for these seven things.
1. Roof Condition
Unless you’re Shaq-sized or have a drone handy, you probably won’t be able to actually see a home’s roof during a showing. But that doesn’t mean you can just forget about it—after all, the cost of a new roof ranges from $5,000–12,000.1
Avoid surprise roofing costs down the road by figuring out a roof’s condition with these questions:
- How old is the roof? If you want to know how long a roof is going to last, you need to know what it’s made of. For example, asphalt shingle roofs should last around 20 years. Once you know a roof’s age, compare that to the typical lifespan of the material it’s made of to see how long it’s got left.
- Does the homeowner have a roof certification letter? Contractors give roof certification letters after an inspection that estimates the lifespan of the roof over the next 2–5 years.2 Not all sellers will have this, but it never hurts to ask.
- Can a roof inspection clear things up? If you’re concerned about the roof’s age and condition, you may want to get a roof inspection. Roof inspections are different from home inspections, since home inspectors don’t always check out the roof. If you go by the home inspection report alone, you could miss some costly repairs.
2. Reliable HVAC
Unless you’re okay with potentially having to warm up or cool down your house the way they did in colonial times, you need to check up on the HVAC system before you buy. As you look at houses, you should ask about the type of heating and cooling system each one has and—most importantly—how old it is. You also may want to ask if there are any maintenance records you can look at.
Units typically last anywhere from 10–25 years. If a unit is broken, repair costs vary based on the type of system and how big it is. but you’ll spend $7,000 on average to replace an existing HVAC unit—and don’t count on a home warranty to automatically cover that.3
If a home’s unit is under a decade old and doesn’t have rust, water damage, suspicious-looking cracks or weird sounds coming from it, there’s a good chance you’re in the clear. But if you’re still worried, remember a home inspector should find any major issues. Then, you can work with your real estate agent on any repairs you’d like to request.
3. Plumbing Issues
If you’re not familiar with home plumbing, it’s easy to get confused and make a mistake. You may have no idea how much Drano is too much Drano or why the only way to get your toilet to stop running is to turn on the shower.
We get it. Luckily, examining the big three—sewer lines, toilets and water heaters—can help unclog (yeah, we went there) some of the confusion around potential plumbing issues. You need to ask these three questions:
- How fresh are the sewer lines? If a home is 20-plus years old and the seller hasn’t provided any disclosures, get a sewer inspection. Pipe disintegration, obstructive tree root growth or some pretty righteous clogs can all jack up the system. Keep in mind that sewer line replacement ranges anywhere from $1,200–4,700—yikes!4
- How do the toilets look? Check for leaks, unstable bases and discoloration. Yes, you’re allowed to flush the toilet during a home showing, so have at it! The same goes for making sure all the showers and sinks are in tip-top shape.
- What’s the state of the water heater? A water heater usually lasts 10–15 years, and if you look closely, you might find an installation date written on the unit. A new one can cost from $800–1,600 depending on the type you need.5 If it’s making unusual noises when it turns on or it’s rusty, have a pro take a look.
If you’re think a house you’re looking at is good to go for now but may have issues down the road, make sure your homeowners insurance will help cover the problem—especially if it’s a big ticket item like a sewer line.
4. Water Damage and Mold
Untreated water leaks or water damage can cause a whole host of problems like structural issues, rot and mold—especially in basements. Pay attention to any musty smells in the home as well as water stains on floors or ceilings. If you do move forward on a home you suspect has water damage, your home inspector should be able to give you an idea of how bad it is.
The thought of mold lurking in the dark corners of a home is enough to trigger a fit of the willies. The cost of removal can be anywhere from from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the size of the area affected. Yikes!
Because mold is a health hazard, you’ll definitely want to get it treated before moving in, but also be sure to find out the source of the moisture to prevent future infestations.
If you’re worried about negotiating water damage or mold repairs, remember: Your real estate agent has likely been on both the buyers’ and sellers’ side of the deal before. Ask about their experience and advice for situations like these.
5. Noise Level
One of the most overlooked factors is a neighborhood’s noise level. Just because things are on quiet mode during a showing doesn’t mean it’s like that 24/7. Think about these questions:
- Is the home by a major road? If you’re really digging the place, make another visit during high traffic times to assess street noise. Even if the house is perfect in every other way, the constant zoom of passing Tahoes and Teslas may not be worth it.
- Is it near an airport or railroad tracks? Same thinking here. How patient will you feel when a train steamrolls through your newborn’s nap time?
- Is the property a condo or townhome? In a home where you’d actually share walls with neighbors, you definitely want a sound barrier. Do a walkthrough when neighbors are home to see if you can hear them rewatching season four of Friends or not.
Neighborhood noise isn’t just annoying, it can affect the home’s value. Ask your agent if homes in that neighborhood have a comparable value to the same homes in a quieter location.
6. A Good Foundation and Home Exterior
Remember the parable about the wise man who built his house upon the rock? If there’s one lesson we learned from that story, it’s that your foundation counts. Bulging or bowing foundation walls are a sign of structural weakness that can be expensive to repair. To fix a bowed wall, one steel reinforcement strip alone can cost as much as $1,000.6
Other easy-to-spot foundation red flags include:
- Cracks in the foundation, exterior, drywall or ceiling
- Gaps above doors and windows
- Sunken stairs or porches
- Sloping or uneven floors or tiling
Keep in mind that not every crack means the home is about to fall in. Every home experiences some degree of settling, so some cracks are expected. Let a qualified home inspector tell you whether a minor crack spells major trouble.
7. Outlets and Appliances That Actually Work
That glossy refrigerator in the kitchen may look big and beautiful (and expensive), but does it actually make ice?
If the home you’re interested in includes appliances as part of the deal, you’ll want to make sure they work. This goes for dishwashers, washers and dryers, and even microwaves.
You also want to make sure that each of the house’s outlets is in working order. Hey, we know it’s crucial for that super convenient outlet right next to your bed to be able to charge your phone every night—otherwise, you’d have a crisis on your hands!
Your real estate agent may give you a funny look, but bring your phone charger with you when you look at a house to test each outlet as you walk through. If your phone starts charging, you’ll know the outlet is good to go! If it doesn’t, that could be a sign of a bigger electrical problem.
所以您要买房了——恭喜！投资房屋是积累财富的绝佳方式。但如果您不确定如何发现潜在的钱坑，那么买房就像赌博一样。 好消息是，知道买房时要寻找什么非常简单。当然，买房子时需要考虑一些一般性的因素，比如面积、学区和社区氛围。 但一旦你确定了所有这些，你就需要知道房子是否有良好的骨架——它是坚固耐用还是即将倒塌？以下列出了您应该在房子中寻找的七个重要的东西，以帮助回答这个问题 - 这样您就可以确信自己拥有一个坚如磐石的家。
1. 屋顶状况 除非你有鲨鱼般的身材或者手边有无人机，否则你可能无法在放映过程中真正看到房屋的屋顶。但这并不意味着您可以忘记它 - 毕竟，新屋顶的成本从 5,000 美元到 12,000.1 美元不等 通过以下问题了解屋顶的状况，避免日后意外的屋顶成本： 屋顶有多少年了？如果你想知道屋顶能持续多久，你需要知道它是由什么制成的。例如，沥青瓦屋顶的使用寿命应为 20 年左右。一旦您知道屋顶的年龄，请将其与屋顶材料的典型使用寿命进行比较，看看它还能使用多久。 房主有屋顶证明信吗？承包商在检查后会提供屋顶证明函，估计屋顶未来 2-5 年的使用寿命。2并非所有卖家都会有此证明，但询问一下总没有坏处。 屋顶检查能解决问题吗？如果您担心屋顶的年龄和状况，您可能需要进行屋顶检查。屋顶检查与房屋检查不同，因为房屋检查员并不总是检查屋顶。如果您只看房屋检查报告，您可能会错过一些昂贵的维修。
2.可靠的暖通空调 除非您同意像殖民时期那样对房屋进行供暖或制冷，否则您需要在购买前检查暖通空调系统。当您查看房屋时，您应该询问每栋房屋的供暖和制冷系统的类型，以及最重要的是，它的使用年限。您可能还想询问是否有可以查看的维护记录。 单元的使用寿命通常为 10 至 25 年。如果某个单元损坏，维修费用根据系统类型和大小而有所不同。但您平均要花费 7,000 美元来更换现有的 HVAC 装置，并且不要指望家庭保修会自动涵盖这一费用。3 如果房屋的使用时间不到十年，并且没有生锈、水渍、可疑的裂缝或发出奇怪的声音，那么您很有可能是安全的。但如果您仍然担心，请记住房屋检查员应该会发现任何重大问题。然后，您可以与您的房地产经纪人合作进行您想要要求的任何维修。
3. 管道问题 如果您不熟悉家庭管道，很容易感到困惑并犯错误。您可能不知道德拉诺有多严重，也不知道为什么让马桶停止运行的唯一方法是打开淋浴。 我们懂了。幸运的是，检查三巨头——下水道、厕所和热水器——可以帮助疏通（是的，我们去过那里）围绕潜在管道问题的一些混乱。你需要问这三个问题： 下水道管道有多新鲜？如果房屋已有 20 多年的历史，并且卖方没有提供任何披露信息，请进行下水道检查。管道解体、树根生长受阻或一些相当正常的堵塞物都可能会抬高系统。请记住，下水道管道更换费用从 1,200 美元到 4,700 美元不等——哎呀！4 厕所看起来怎么样？检查是否有泄漏、底座不稳定和变色。是的，您可以在家庭放映期间冲厕所，所以就冲吧！确保所有淋浴间和水槽均处于最佳状态也是如此。 热水器的状态如何？热水器的使用寿命通常为 10 至 15 年，如果您仔细观察，您可能会发现设备上写有安装日期。一个新的价格从 800 美元到 1,600 美元不等，具体取决于您需要的类型。5如果它在打开时发出异常噪音或生锈，请让专业人士检查一下。 如果您认为您正在看中的房子目前还不错，但日后可能会出现问题，请确保您的房主保险能够帮助解决该问题，尤其是当它是像下水道管道这样的大件物品时。
4. 水渍和霉菌 未经处理的漏水或水损坏可能会导致一系列问题，例如结构问题、腐烂和发霉，尤其是在地下室。注意家里是否有霉味以及地板或天花板上的水渍。如果您确实对怀疑有水损坏的房屋进行了检查，您的房屋检查员应该能够让您了解情况有多严重。 一想到家中阴暗角落里潜伏着霉菌，就足以让人心惊肉跳。清除费用可能从几百美元到几千美元不等，具体取决于受影响区域的大小。哎呀！ 由于霉菌危害健康，因此您肯定需要在搬入之前对其进行处理，但也请务必找出湿气的来源，以防止未来的感染。 如果您担心水灾或霉菌修复的谈判，请记住：您的房地产经纪人以前可能在交易中既站在买方又站在卖方的立场。询问他们对此类情况的经验和建议。
5. 噪音水平 最容易被忽视的因素之一是社区的噪音水平。仅仅因为放映期间一切处于安静模式并不意味着它就是那样 24/7。思考这些问题： 家靠近主干道吗？如果您真的想挖掘这个地方，请在交通高峰期再次访问以评估街道噪音。即使这座房子在其他方面都很完美，但不断经过的太浩湖和特斯拉可能并不值得。 靠近机场或铁轨吗？这里同样的想法。当火车驶过你新生儿的午睡时间时，你会有多大耐心？ 该房产是公寓还是联排别墅？在一个与邻居共用墙壁的家里，您肯定需要一个隔音屏障。当邻居在家时进行演练，看看您是否能听到他们重看《老友记》第四季。 邻居的噪音不仅令人烦恼，还会影响房屋的价值。询问您的经纪人该社区的房屋是否与安静地点的相同房屋具有可比性。
6.良好的基础和家居外观 还记得那个关于智者把房子建在磐石上的寓言吗？如果说我们从这个故事中学到了一个教训，那就是你的基础很重要。基础墙凸出或弯曲是结构薄弱的迹象，修复起来可能会很昂贵。要修复弓形墙，仅一根钢筋条的成本就高达 1,000.6 美元 其他容易发现的粉底危险信号包括： 地基、外部、干墙或天花板出现裂缝 门窗上方的缝隙 下沉的楼梯或门廊 倾斜或不平坦的地板或瓷砖 请记住，并非每条裂缝都意味着房屋即将倒塌。每个房屋都会经历一定程度的沉降，因此出现一些裂缝是预料之中的。让合格的验房师告诉您小裂缝是否会带来大麻烦。
7. 实际可用的插座和电器 厨房里那台光滑的冰箱可能看起来又大又漂亮（而且价格昂贵），但它真的能制冰吗？ 如果您感兴趣的房屋包含电器作为交易的一部分，您需要确保它们能够正常工作。这适用于洗碗机、洗衣机和烘干机，甚至微波炉。 您还想确保家里的每个插座都正常工作。嘿，我们知道床边那个超级方便的插座能够每晚为您的手机充电至关重要 - 否则，您就会遇到危机！ 您的房地产经纪人可能会给您一个有趣的表情，但是当您看房子时请带上手机充电器，以便在走过时测试每个插座。如果您的手机开始充电，您就会知道插座已经可以使用了！如果没有，则可能表明存在更大的电气问题。