Looking At A House Objectively: What Matters And What Should Not

Everyone heads out to look at potential homes with a list of the things they want in a house, and a list of the things they definitely do not want.  In addition to that wish list, there are also some other things you will notice about the homes you visit that may strike you as potential problems.

When looking at homes, it is important to know what things are deal breakers and what things are minor issues that you can deal with easily.  Turning down a dream home because of something that can be easily fixed seems like a silly thing to do, but it happens surprisingly often.

Cosmetic Issues

When you walk into a home which has outdated wallpaper or paint colours you wouldn't dream of using, it turns you off immediately.  While that first reaction is normal, it is important to take a moment, step back from that instinct and think about it objectively.  Painting is not that difficult or expensive, so try to imagine how the home would look with a different colour palette, one that is more your style. You might wish to redecorate to suit your taste anyway, so don’t let those details cloud your judgement.

Being able to recognise which issues are merely cosmetic and can be easily fixed is very important to finding a house you will love. Be prepared to visualise the home as you could make it perfect with a few cosmetic changes.  It will open you up to the different possibilities and might allow you to consider homes that aren't perfect the way they are now, but could be just right for you with a little elbow grease and a touch of paint.

Major Repairs

In some cases the major repairs that a house needs might be obvious.  Sometimes they might only be uncovered during a home inspection.  Either way, you will need to give consideration to whether or not you are willing to deal with the problem.

If the home needs expensive repairs, you can either try to get the vendor to do the repairs or accept that you will need to do them yourself.  In many cases, the vendor will not be willing to take on major repair work, but they may reduce the asking price accordingly.  Still, this might be a deal breaker if you are looking for a home in turnkey condition.

Knowing The Difference

A house inspection is the best way to uncover all of the issues, both minor and major, that a house might have.  When you review the inspection, look for things that can be dealt with easily as well as those that can't.  The amount of work you are willing to do will determine what problems you can personally live with.

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