Whenever I meet with first time home buyers at a house they are interested in, I like to point out some of the things that can easily be changed.  Painting walls is simple.  It’s usually not too complicated to change the floors.  Furniture and decor choices shouldn’t be a reason to like or not like a home.  I also bring attention to areas of concern that might require further investigation. There are some things that you might spot while touring Locust Grove homes that could be expensive to fix or affect the condition of the homes.  These are things buyers should not ignore and have a home inspector take a deeper look if they decide to put an offer in at the home.

Condition of Roof

While you are touring the inside of Locust Grove homes, look for signs of roof issues.  Stains on ceilings or discolorations on walls can be signs of water seeping into a home.  While you can’t and probably don’t want to climb up onto the roof, you can ask your REALTOR® to inquire about the age of the roof or if there are any known issues.

Age of the water heater and HVAC system

These can be big ticket items to replace in a home.  I think that every homeowner at some point has had to deal with repairing or replacing these systems.  (Raise your hand if your furnace broke during a polar vortex on the Friday before New Year’s Eve while your family from Florida was visiting.)  While you can’t do a full on inspection during a home tour, you can listen for the heat or a.c. to turn on and feel the air coming out of the vents.  You can also do a visual of the water heater and look for the sticker that identifies when it was installed.

Cracks in ceilings, walls, or uneven flooring

Sometimes cracks in walls are just from the house settling and changes in humidity allow the cracks to grow or shrink.  Other times cracks can be an indicator of a larger foundation problem.  These concerns need to be addressed by a certified foundation expert.

Storage Space

All Locust Grove homes have a finite amount of storage space; it is important to consider if the storage space will meet your needs.  For example, if you are an avid home baker then you want to make sure that the pantry has enough space for your supplies.  While you might need to reimagine how things will go into the storage space since you can always add shelves or reorganize, it is important to consider if the space is enough for your needs.

Layout

The layout of a home can be an expensive thing to change.  Take some time to investigate the layout and if it will work for your family.  For example, if you work from home you may need a home office.  However, having that home office right next to the living room may not be an ideal location once everyone else is home.  Is it a possibility to have an office elsewhere in the home or not?  While primary bedrooms on the main floor are appealing to some buyers, ones with young children may not like the idea of being on separate floors than their children at night.

HOA or No HOA

It’s important to gather information about an HOA when you are considering purchasing a home.  Locust Grove homes in Lake of the Woods or Wilderness Shores are part of HOAs, but the rules and regulations vary greatly between the two neighborhoods.  Perhaps you don’t want to even consider a home in an HOA.  While you will have an opportunity to review the HOAs regulations during the home buying process, you can also ask your REALTOR® to find answers to questions like whether you can put a fence up for your dog.

Cell Reception and Internet Options

Take a peek at your phone while your are touring Locust Grove homes to see if your provider has service in the area.  Ask your REALTOR® about the internet options that are available.  While these might not be deal breakers themselves, it’s important to consider if you will have to switch providers to have better service or know what internet options are available especially if you work from home.