What to look for when purchasing a home in the winter.
In the winter, you need to be careful when looking for a house. If you don't, you could end up with a home that is more expensive to maintain and that has less appeal. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips and tricks on what to look for in a house before purchasing it in the winter months!
Insulation
You want to make sure the house is completely insulated. Did you know that many homes are missing proper insulation or don't even have any at all? It will also help save on heating costs during the winter months, which can really add up!
Age and efficiency of the furnace
Check the furnace to make sure it's working properly, is newer and won't break down on you in the cold winter months. It happens more often than you think! If possible, try to find a furnace that has an efficiency rating of 95% or higher.
Plumbing
Make sure you have an inspector look at all of the plumbing fixtures and faucets, including toilets and sinks. They can be a huge source of problems in the winter when there are freezing temperatures outside!
Cracks in the foundation or walls
Look for any cracks in the home's foundation or walls. Cracking during the winter months is bad, especially if there are cold temperatures outside. It will be expensive to fix, so find this out before purchasing the home.
Parking
This might seem like a strange thing to think about when looking at homes, but it's very important! Try not to get stuck purchasing one with no driveway or garage - especially if winter is coming up quickly after purchase and there is no way for you to store your car inside safely away from any snowfall. Also, consider how much space can fit where before buying so this doesn't come as an unpleasant surprise later on!
Is it too far from work?
If you can't make the commute, then what's even the point of buying a home if you'll need to move again in another year or two when your job changes location? Be sure that there are good schools nearby as well so your children have an easy time adjusting and doing their homework without being distracted by lengthy commutes!