Shopping for a home, whether it’s your first or your fifth, can be incredibly fun; however, it’s also important to look for certain things and make certain considerations when viewing homes.

We don’t need to tell you that purchasing a home is a huge investment, but because of this you need to be extra vigilant when it comes to what you want in a home and what you’re seeing in the homes you’re viewing. Otherwise, you could be stuck in an extremely expensive mistake.

You may already have your list of wants together, like bedroom amount and square footage; however, there are a lot of other things often missed that should be taken into account as well. This article will give you some tips on viewing homes and what to look for when you start the process.

How clean is the home?

It’s important to note how clean the home is kept because this can be a first indicator of how well the homeowner took care of the home and what wear-and-tear conditions could be expected to be.

What condition are the fixtures and appliances in?

It’s always wonderful when you move into a new home and don’t need to worry about immediately purchasing a fridge or replacing the HVAC system. Be sure to note what appliances are missing or in poor shape during your walkthrough, and don’t skip out on inspecting the AC unit and other fixtures.

What does the roof look like?

Replacing or repairing a roof can be a few thousand dollars right off the bat. Not to mention that a damaged roof could mean you have some interior water damage. Pay attention to the roof condition and the ceiling interior during your walkthrough.

How many other homes are for sale in the neighborhood?

If you drive into a neighborhood and immediately notice 5 or 6 For Sale signs, this could be an indicator that the neighborhood or area has some issues that you may not want to get involved in or that could potentially lower the resale value of your home.

How is the temperature in the home?

We mentioned the HVAC system earlier, but we cannot stress enough how important it is to pay attention to the temperature regulation in the home. Does the heat or AC feel even from room to room? Is he home really cold during the winter or hot during the summer? These things could indicate a potential HVAC repair or replacement in the future, including ventilation. You can easily get into thousands of dollars with this type of work.

How level is the flooring and framework?

The last thing you want to be surprised with is foundational issues in the home. Pay attention to cracks or unevenness in the flooring and door frames that are crooked; these could indicate a problem.

Are there signs of leaks?

Pay attention to leaks around the toilet or bathtub, water in the basement, and water stains on the ceiling or walls; these things could indicate leaks from the plumbing system, the roof, or the basement foundation and can cost you a pretty penny.

Does it smell musty inside?

When you enter the home, do you smell must or mildew? These could be indicators of a mold problem resulting from a leak. While you can resolve this issue, fixing the leak that caused the problem and remediating for mold can get very expensive and may not be something you want to deal with.

Are there cracks in the driveway?

Pay attention to cracks in the driveway. While some small cracks over time are normal, large cracks can indicate a poorly laid subbase and indicate repairs will be needed in the future.