Buying your home is an exciting time, but it can be very stressful. After all, your home will be the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make. If you’re a first-time buyer, you might not know what to look out for when you’re viewing a property. Failing to spot something when viewing could cost you thousands of dollars later.
Structural Problems
Foundation and structural problems can be one of the most expensive to fix. When inspecting your new potential home, look for significant cracks in walls, ceilings, and window sills. If the property has an unfinished basement, it will be easy to spot any issues in the foundations.
If everything looks good, check out the door frames see if they are leaning slightly, or if the doors stick. It can be a sign that the house is structurally unsound. If you’re unsure what to look out for, then take someone with you that’s a bit more knowledgable. If you don’t know anyone, then hire someone like the Toronto home inspector, who can give a property the once over for any issues with structure, electrical or ventilation. 
Strange Smells
A house viewing should be a time that the owner tries to make the home smell pleasant and inviting. If there is a funny smell hanging around, then this can be a sign that there is a damp or mold problem.
Similarly, if the owner seems to be overdoing it on the air freshener, then they might be trying to cover something up.
Inadequate Ventilation
Not having proper ventilation can cause many issues as water cannot evaporate. It can then cause condensation and mold, which is terrible for your health and cause respiratory problems.
Bad Repairs
Some people don’t like paying to get things repaired. If they have any DIY talent, then it’s a great way to save money. Not everyone has the knack, though. If the home you are viewing has had a lot of owner repairs done to it, then this could be problematic in the future.
A few poorly patched areas of drywall are probably nothing to worry about. Still, if they’ve also been repairing electrical faults or plumbing, then you might want to get a professional to check it out.
Weather Damage
If you’re looking to buy in an area that is prone to storms, floods, or other inclement weather, then you need to keep a lookout for weather damage. It can be in the form of damaged roof tiles, missing handrails, water damage, and mold.
Final Thoughts
If you do your research and look around the property thoroughly, you should be able to spot the majority of potential issues with a property.
Remember, the owners, whether they are aware of the issues or not, will be trying to show it in it’s the best light possible. Try to look past all of the nice furniture and beautiful paint colors. At this point, the structure of the house is the most crucial aspect. Then you’ll be able to buy your perfect home with confidence that there won’t be any nasty (and expensive) surprises.
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