5 Most Important Things To Notice When Selecting a Home

	Maria Morton
	Address: 435 Nichols Rd Fl 3 Kansas City, MO 64112 County: Jackson Office: 1-816-410-5499 Cell Phone: 1-816-560-3758 .	Tweet

5 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTICE WHEN SELECTING A HOME by Maria Morton

You may prefer one architectural style over another but the quality of construction is a primary consideration when choosing a home to buy. If your level of knowledge about home construction is limited, your agent can help you grossly assess these major home components as you view each house. Homes with obvious defects may be eliminated immediately unless you want a real fixer-upper.

Foundation: Foundations can be made of stone, concrete or cinder block. Our soil has high clay content. We have periods of too much water followed by periods of not enough water. We have extreme temperature changes (Below freezing into the 100’s). Soil moves with temperature and moisture changes. This movement presses on the foundation of the house.

Stone foundations shift without cracking. Stone foundations will need tuckpointing every 50-75 years or so. Concrete foundations don’t shift so much; they crack. Foundations can be repaired. Repairs may cost from only a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Keeping water away from the foundation is part of maintaining a house. The gutters need to be cleaned when leaves fall. Drainage issues can often be resolved by changing the grade of the soil near the house, installing French drains or Dry Wells. A foundation expert can advise you about solutions should your house experience foundation issues.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling. The mechanicals of a house are what provides heat and air conditioning. Furnaces should be serviced by a licensed HVAC specialist in the Fall and Spring. Filters need to be changed every 1 to 3 months, depending upon the type of filter you use.

Roof: The roof is like the hat for the house. It needs to be intact to keep the elements out. Roofs will need to be replaced about every 20-50 years, depending upon the type of material used.

Plumbing: can be copper, PEX, plastic or galvanized metal. Faucets can be changed out easily. Tree roots growing into the drainage pipes taking water away from the house can cause the pipe to leak. This can be fixed but may cost thousands of dollars.

Once your offer has been accepted by the sellers, you will have a Licensed House Inspector check all of these components of the house. The Inspector will tell you the condition of each component. If the Inspector finds anything that is beyond his expertise, he will advise a consultation with a specialist. The Inspector will also advise you on how to maintain and care for your home.