We all love a great-looking garden, and this can be the difference between wanting to live in a house and not getting that feeling when you’re looking for a new place to live. This article will argue that the notion and concept of curb appeal can be incredibly misleading and, in fact, can cost you a great deal of money.
Why Curb Appeal Sells
The way the home looks from the street and a great garden will sell the property; we’ve all heard it said, and many who look for a new home and, in fact, buy one, are sold on the first impression. In most cases, this will be the garden or exterior of the property. Only for this new home dream to turn into a property nightmare. The garden is still good, but a few months in, the leaks start, and the damp smell in the bathroom won’t go away. For the first-time buyer, finding the right home can be a minefield of choices and options.
The main things to look for in a house if you’re interested in buying. Yes, the outside has lured you in, and the kitchen is amazing; it’s open plan, and the space is good, but below are a few things that you must consider and investigate further.
- Damp – There is generally a survey that is done to inspect for dampness, but for many, this may be too late, and you would have made an offer and be on the way to purchasing. Thus, it is vital to spend time when you visit the property to look for signs of dampness. Look for tide marks, peeling wallpaper, rusty screws in skirting boards, and leaking pipes.
- The structure – Look for cracks, they don’t have to be huge gaping cracks, but if the building has cracks from windows, where there have been extensions or additions, and if any of these marry up on the interior and exterior, then there may be structural issues. Expect to see some hairline cracks and surface cracks as these are normal and will occur with the natural movement of the home. But cracks that are jagged and move in a diagonal direction are the serious cracks to look out for.
- Ceilings – The ceilings will provide clear signs of any leaks or water problems. A freshly painted ceiling may be for sale but could mask previous watermarks, or a replaces section. Ask questions and keep an eye out for any watermarks on the ceilings.
- Test switches, doors, windows, and taps. Once you decide to buy and start the paperwork, anything that leaks are yours to sort out. Remember, it’s a massive decision to make, so take as long as you need, and as aforementioned, test everything that you can
- Exterior space – As a garden lover, ensure that you have the space required on the outside, but don’t let this be the decider. Regardless of what the current garden looks like and its size, there will always be lots of work to do and a wide range of ideas to match the space. As long as it has the space, you need to look at it as a work in progress, waiting for you.
- Storage space – The one thing that all homeowners and new buyers complain about is the available storage space. Most will note that they wish that they had checked this when they did the viewing. A house will often not be a long-lasting family solution if it doesn’t have the required storage space. Put this on your list and ensure that you have a look at all of the nooks and crannies that you can use for storage.
Virtual viewing has taken the real estate industry by storm, and it has created a system for viewing, choosing, and buying a property without possibly ever having been inside it. This may work for some if the property has been surveyed and checked by professionals that you trust. However, it will not give you a chance to check the aforementioned items in detail.
Furthermore, keep in mind that even if you do make it in the door and have an opportunity to spend some time in your prospective new home, it would have been staged for the viewing and your benefit, so look deeper than just the surface.
Yes, curb appeal has an impact on the choices we make, but a house purchase is one of, if not the most important purchase that many of us will make, and as such, it is vital to look beyond the garden and be able to do the requisite research to ensure that you don’t end up with a wonderful garden and a home with costly maintenance needs.
