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Here's what to look for when buying a house
Once you have a mortgage loan preapproval and a price range that works for you, you can start shopping for a home. Whether this is your first home or you’re already a homeowner, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a shiny chef’s kitchen or bedazzled by the charm of a pillared front porch.
If you slow down, rely on professional advice, and follow a methodical home search process, you’re less likely to experience home buyer’s remorse and more likely to buy a house that’s emotionally and financially satisfying.
Learn more: How to buy a house in 13 steps
In this article:
Professional help to know what to look for when buying a house
Hiring a real estate agent to represent your interests can be extremely helpful, particularly if you are new to homeownership. When you want to know what to look for when buying a house (or what to avoid), an agent can share the most important factors that contribute to stable or rising home values and advise you about options that fit your budget.
Your real estate agent can also help you find other professionals to help you know what to look for when buying a house. A home inspector will provide insight into the condition of a house you’re considering and advise about home repairs and maintenance.
Your real estate agent can make recommendations if you need other inspections, such as a termite inspection, a radon inspection, or perhaps a special roof or foundation inspection. If you want to evaluate a fixer-upper to see how much it might cost to remodel, your agent may be able to help you identify a reliable contractor.
Learn more: Your home inspection checklist — What to expect on inspection day
First steps when shopping for a house
Before you start house hunting, it’s smart to establish your list — and, if you’re shopping with a partner, your combined list — of priorities. For example, you can establish a minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms and decide whether you’re flexible on those needs. Consider whether you need a fenced yard or a nearby park would be good enough. For some home buyers, location is of prime importance, but for others, the house itself matters more. Understanding your preferences before looking for a home can save you time and simplify the process.
Once those priorities are in place, consider the following factors that can impact your experience with the home and its property value:
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Neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for a quiet residential neighborhood or a buzzy urban area with lots of activity, it’s wise to visit a community at different times of day and night, on the weekends and weekdays. You can ask local shopowners or neighbors about the community, look at how well the homes are maintained, and check out online neighborhood groups to learn more.
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Schools. Whether you have kids or not, property located in an area known for good schools typically holds onto its value. Check out the school district website and visit GreatSchools for more insights.
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Noise. As you tour a neighborhood, listen for sounds such as construction, traffic, public transportation, airplanes, and children playing at day care centers and playgrounds. If you work from home, you may be especially sensitive to noise. Visit at night to see if there are late crowds at nearby bars or restaurants.
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Safety. Check sites such as CityProtect and SpotCrime for crime statistics. You can also ask people who live in the area about their experiences.
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Convenience. Walk Score and Bike Score evaluate neighborhoods for their walkability and accessibility for bicyclists, and you can explore communities to see if they have amenities you value nearby, such as a dog park, walking trails, public transportation, commuter routes, swimming pools, or coffee shops.
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Climate risk. Your real estate agent can help you with information about recent incidents of natural disasters. You can also search for information from ClimateCheck, Wildfire Risk to Communities, and FEMA flood maps. This information can keep you safe and let you know if you’d need to buy any additional types of insurance if you bought this home.
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Future plans. Ask your Realtor about any plans for changes to the community, such as a new road or retail development, that could impact your home value or enjoyment of the house.
Dig deeper: 12 questions to ask when buying a house
What to look out for when buying a house
Once you’ve found a neighborhood you like and a property you’re seriously considering, you need to know what things to watch for when buying a house that could be deal-breakers, including:
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Extra costs. Each listing should include property taxes and homeowners’ association fees (if the property is located within an association). You can also ask your real estate agent to gather this information for you.
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Foundation. Cracks or sags in the foundation walls can indicate a foundation may need repair. So can sticking doors or misaligned floors and walls. A home inspector can help evaluate this or recommend a structural engineer.
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Roof. Ask the listing agent about the roof's age and whether any maintenance has been done. Roof repairs can cost thousands of dollars, so ensure your home inspector checks it out or recommends a specialist if there’s a possible issue.
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Landscaping. Outdoor living space is important to many buyers and influences home values, but adding plants, trees, or a deck can be costly. Think about what you want and need from a yard.
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Water issues. Ask your home inspector to look for signs of water damage or mold and check that the plumbing works. You can also ask the listing agent to disclose issues. Requirements for what sellers must tell you vary by state, even including whether a property is at risk of flooding.
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Condition. Your home inspector should provide a report about the condition of the home’s systems and appliances, such as the water heater and HVAC system, including their ages. You may be able to negotiate repairs with a seller and financially prepare financially for when you’ll need to replace them.
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Parking. Make sure there’s adequate parking for your household, and find out if parking costs extra in the community.
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Floor plan. Walk through the house to see if the floor plan meets your needs now and preferably in the future. Reconfiguring a house's layout can be extremely expensive. Decide whether you’re happy with the house’s square footage.
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Storage. Inadequate closets, shelves, and pantries can be frustrating, so look at what’s available and if there are options to enhance storage space.
Read more: Everything you need to know as a first-time home buyer
What to look for when buying a house: FAQs
What is the most important thing you look for in a new home?
The most important thing to consider when shopping for your dream home is probably the location. Where the house is located can answer numerous crucial questions: Is it in a good school district? What are the crime statistics? Are the neighbors welcoming and friendly to everyone? Is it a risky area for natural disasters? Thinking about the property’s location addresses all of these issues and more.
What should you ask a Realtor when looking at a house?
You can ask your agent or the seller’s agent about why the seller is moving, past issues with the house such as a fire or water damage, previous renovations, whether the property has an HOA, average utility bills, and the age of the roof and other systems. Depending on local regulations and their knowledge, the agent may not answer all your questions.
What is a red flag when buying a house?
Generally, some issues that warn people to avoid a house include nonfunctional windows or doors, bad smells, evidence of major repairs needed, such as a leaking roof or large crack in the foundation, or a shoddy repair that may not have been properly permitted.
This article was edited by Laura Grace Tarpley.
