It might seem safe to assume your new home will come with all the essentials, but house hunting can make it easy to overlook the small things. Sometimes even the big things. Now that you’ve made an offer, do you really know what you’re getting?
Play it safe and check for these commonly overlooked features.
In the kitchen – It doesn’t take a lot for a kitchen to work smoothly, but if you’re missing a few key items you’ll wind up miserable. Make sure the space has all the time-saving gadgets you need including a garbage disposal, sink sprayer and proper ventilation. If the seller is providing the buyer with appliances, make sure that means everything, including the microwave. And don’t assume everything is included.
In the bathroom – Most sellers will take the shower curtains, shower heads and possibly the light bulbs when they head for greener pastures. Some features however, should still stay in place. Check for these items : towel racks, toilet paper holders and shower curtain rod. Also, test the ventilation system and make sure it works!
Throughout the house – Once you have a feel for the house, go back through every room and look for any conveniences you may have overlooked earlier. For example, will the fireplace in the living room even work? Check every room for grounded three-prong outlets. Two-prong outlets are basically useless for today’s needs. Ideally, there will be at least one outlet on each wall in every room and one in the bathroom. Visually inspect the paint and caulking around windows and doors.
Outside – There are a few key necessities that you’ll want to take note of. Check for a sprinkler system. This isn’t always advertised by the seller, especially if it doesn’t work properly. A faulty sprinkler system can cause major problems, like excessive weed growth and foundation troubles. If the property is fenced, check for working gates. Check the perimeter for an outdoor spigot; you’ll want water access in the front and backyards. In the garage, check for an automatic door opener.
Finally, don’t just assume everything that is permanent is actually going to stay with the home. Not all sellers understand the rules.
