When you are looking to buy a house, it can be a really exciting time. You will be investing your money into somewhere that you will live and make your own. It can feel like a daunting process, though. It can also end up being costly if you aren’t on the lookout for certain things. When you view a home, there are lots of potential things to look out for. If they could cause problems later on, then it could cost you a fortune to repair. So here are some of the things that you should look out for.
Risk of Flooding
It is important to check how prone to flooding the area is. It can be tricky to ask if the home has ever been flooded before. But there are many ways to check if the area has been flooded before. Somewhere like the Environment Agency will have searches for areas that are more prone to flooding. It isn’t the end of the world if it is in a risky area. You just need to make sure you are going in with your eyes open, so to speak. Being prepared will help reduce costs of water damage cleanup.
Presence of Asbestos and Mold
You need to be aware of any asbestos panels that is still in the home. Because if you were going to do home repairs, it plays an important role. There are specific rules for getting rid of asbestos, so your workmen need to be prepared for it. They might even charge you a little more, as it is trickier. If, when you look around the home you can see mold, then it should set alarm bells ringing. What is the cause of the mold and can it be dealt with easily? This kind of thing will most likely be picked up in a survey of the property. If there is major damage letting in the damp, then you might want to reconsider the purchase.
Local Council Rates
If you are moving to a completely different area, you might not know the rates that you might pay. But it is an important factor to consider. Quite often council rates that you pay can be around 5% of your yearly income. So you need to check the precise rate for your area and your home. Factor it into your budget and see if it will be something that can work. You don’t want to be living in an enormous house that you can’t afford the rates for.
Potential to Extend
When you buy a home, it can be a bit of a hassle to move, unless you really have to. More and more people are turning to extending their homes instead of moving. So looking into options for that will be a good idea. It will help you plan for the future. Look at other properties around, as well as online at the surrounding area. Then you can assess the potential for getting planning permission to extend your house later on.
