Did you know that the average house price in America is around $375,000? 

If you’re considering putting down hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home, you need to ensure you’re getting what you pay for! From leaky roofs to faulty electrics, you don’t want any surprises after you’ve committed to your new property. 

However, buying a home is stressful enough already. That’s why you need a simple house-buying checklist! For each property you view, you need to check that everything is in order. We’re here to make that process easy for you. 

Read on for the best checklist for purchasing a house. 

1. Location 

You may think you’ve found your dream home, but how’s the location? Typically, affordable homes are in undesirable neighborhoods. Check for the following: 

• Employment opportunities 
• Crime rates 
• Cost of living 
• Nearby schools 

Satisfying all of these conditions can be challenging. In fact, it’s sometimes easier to choose your location before looking at houses. 

2. Long-Term Living 

Next on the list of tips for buying a house is looking at its long-term potential.

Can you see yourself there in five or ten years? Will it have enough bedrooms? Does it look structurally sound? 

Buying a house isn’t a simple process, so you need to avoid purchasing something that’s not quite right. Ensure you can see yourself living there for a while before buying a house. 

3. Pest Potential 

Next, does it look like the type of home that’s been staged to hide significant problems? For example, many people notice problems with insects and rodents shortly after moving in. 

Check out this site for more about pest inspections before buying a home. 

4. Renovation Requirements 

Is your house ready to live in, or does it need work done? Renovations can be expensive, complex, and take a long time. Although you think you’re saving money initially, it’s usually easier to buy a house that doesn’t need work done. 

That being said, if you’re exceptionally skilled with renovations or handy-work, you could do it yourself and save significant amounts of money. 

5. Value for Money 

Finally, think about whether you’re getting a good deal. Is it worth negotiating a lower price, or are you getting a bargain? 

Either way, it’s best to get an independent house valuation before making an offer to know what ballpark you should be offering. Ensure you don’t get ripped off; there’s no harm in offering lower than the asking price if it’s out of your budget. 

The Only House-Buying Checklist You Need

The house buying process is tedious and sometimes challenging. However, that shouldn’t stop you from making a move.

Once you’re ready to start viewing properties, make sure to use this house-buying checklist to make sure you get the home of your dreams. 

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