Maggie Alderson
Don’t we say that buying a house represents the investment of a lifetime? Don’t be afraid to overdo it when choosing your future home, and arm yourself with your checklist, so you don’t forget anything. If there is one purchase that must be made without rushing, it is that of a house. Becoming the owner of a house engages you over the long term, and in the event of premature resale, there may be a risk of capital loss. No stress, here is the priority list of points to examine.
Before visiting the house
Make an estimate of the costs associated with your purchase ( notary fees, agency, moving, work, housing tax, property tax. Take an interest in the immediate surroundings of the house (neighborhood, transport network, crèches schools, shops, presence of possible easements, building land, development projects, PLU, etc.). Make sure you have visited other properties before or visit others after.
To watch in front of the house
Examine the exteriors (lawn, gate, terrace, garden shed, swimming pool, etc.) Get a seem at the state of the roof (is it being repaired?) And the exterior walls (presence of cracks, damaged coating, etc.) What are its dimensions?
Scrutinize the smallest details inside the house
Check the condition of the electrical installation: should a diagnosis be given to you? How many switches are there? And electrical outlets? Where are they placed? Does the electrical installation comply with the standards in force? Are you interested in the state of the kitchen and sanitary facilities: in what state are the seals? Are there any leaks? Is the kitchen functional? Is there “sewerage”? What are the dimensions of the hot water tank? Is the bathroom damp? What ventilation system is the house equipped with? Look at the insulation (thermal but also sound) of the house. What score did the house obtain in terms of ECD? How many windows does the house have? What are their thermal performances? How are the living rooms of the house displayed? Examine the heating mode with which the house is equipped: type of radiators, heating (gas, oil, solar, etc.). Observe ceilings, walls, and floors carefully (presence of stains, mold, fungi, etc.).
What are the hidden defects of an old house
Hidden defects designate faults which make the accommodation unfit for its residential use. To be considered a hidden defect, the defect must be “serious” and must precede the sale.
Before coming in
Obviously, you can’t wait to set foot in what may be your future home, but also pay attention to what makes its immediate environment: noise, urban development projects, and amenities will also be a fraction of your everyday life, just similar to the house itself.
