Recently, I was walking through a house for a first time buyer and going through a couple things that have always been on my "Checklists" of sorts. As I was walking through with the family and explaining to them everything on the checklist, I realized it would be a great thing to teach others and to get in writing. One of the biggest ways this list will have value for you, is that you can take this list and fill it out per property (if you were looking at and deciding between multiple properties) and get a black and white comparison of how much value the house has, and from there make a decision to buy/not buy and how much money to do so with.
I am thus calling this list: 10 Things of Hidden Value in Your Home.
1. Water Heater: When was the last time the water heater was replaced? How old or new is it? Old Water heaters will need to be replaced, while new or newer water heaters won't need to be replaced for a couple of years. New or Newer water heaters are +1.
2. Windows: Check to see if the windows are Single or Double Pane windows. Single pane windows are less desirable, and while they are ok-you will need to replace those at some juncture. Double pane windows are your friend and they are the ones you want to see in your house. Double pane windows are +1.
3. Electrical Breaker Panel: Older homes usually have a 100 Amp Breaker, when those homes were originally constructed that was more than enough. Most newer homes are/or upgraded to 200 Amp panels. Too much electricity being drawn on the house with not a big enough breaker, will mean your power will constantly trip. 200 Amp breaker is a +1.
4. Roof: Visually look at the roof and try to estimate how old it might be, or the quality of the shingles. Do you think you need to have the roof replaced in the next year or ten years? Are all the shingles there? Are they cheap or expensive materials? A new to newer roof is a +1.
5. Furnace: Keeping the house warm is as important as keeping the house cool, even if we are in California. Take a look at the furnace and see when it was purchased/installed, what is the age of the furnace? Older furnaces are not in your favor, while new or newer furnaces are +1.
6. AC Condenser: Summer is going to be hot this year, check out the AC. What is the age? If the power is on, it is never a bad idea to try to turn on the AC inside the house and see if it is working. Checking out the unit will tell you the age or condition of it. New or newer is +1.
7. Pool: Not every house has a pool, but it it does check the pool to see if it has a cover, if the walls of the pool are intact, is there water, has it been cleaned? Something else to not about pools if you get a house with one, is that it will be more maintenance for you and affect your utility bills. Personal preference on whether you want a pool or not, if you do- for a pool in good shape +1.
8. Pool Equipment: Assuming there is a pool, how is the equipment that is there to take care of the pool? Older, less efficient, equipment will cost you more money in maintaining and using your pool. Consider if you need to upgrade the equipment to lower your monthly bill for your pool. Newer equipment +1.
9. Appliances: Some homes come with appliances. Appliances would be: Fridge, Stove, Washer, Dryer, and Dishwasher. If the home has them, are they usable? What is their age? Do you need to replace them? Add a +1 accordingly.
10. Plumbing: Older homes have galvanized pipes while newer homes would have Copper pipes. Besides being different in material, copper pipes are also bigger by a significant amount. If the home has galvanized pipes, you will have to change those to copper pipes before an emergency happens which forces you to do so. Copper pipes are +1.
Now, a home may be a good home for you-even if according to this checklist it does not get a good grade. But this list lets you go into the house knowing all your possibilities and risks, and fully assess the joys and the responsibilities of being a home owner with that particular home. Please enjoy a checklist for yourself available here:
https://beacon.by/moxi-zombi-marketing/hidden-value-in-your-home
Yorba Linda, CA-TRREG DRE#01843673-RP100 DRE#02059058-P:714-831-1800-E:info@theresultsrealestategroup.com-W:www.theresultsrealestategroup.com-Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn
I am thus calling this list: 10 Things of Hidden Value in Your Home.
1. Water Heater: When was the last time the water heater was replaced? How old or new is it? Old Water heaters will need to be replaced, while new or newer water heaters won't need to be replaced for a couple of years. New or Newer water heaters are +1.
2. Windows: Check to see if the windows are Single or Double Pane windows. Single pane windows are less desirable, and while they are ok-you will need to replace those at some juncture. Double pane windows are your friend and they are the ones you want to see in your house. Double pane windows are +1.
3. Electrical Breaker Panel: Older homes usually have a 100 Amp Breaker, when those homes were originally constructed that was more than enough. Most newer homes are/or upgraded to 200 Amp panels. Too much electricity being drawn on the house with not a big enough breaker, will mean your power will constantly trip. 200 Amp breaker is a +1.
4. Roof: Visually look at the roof and try to estimate how old it might be, or the quality of the shingles. Do you think you need to have the roof replaced in the next year or ten years? Are all the shingles there? Are they cheap or expensive materials? A new to newer roof is a +1.
5. Furnace: Keeping the house warm is as important as keeping the house cool, even if we are in California. Take a look at the furnace and see when it was purchased/installed, what is the age of the furnace? Older furnaces are not in your favor, while new or newer furnaces are +1.
6. AC Condenser: Summer is going to be hot this year, check out the AC. What is the age? If the power is on, it is never a bad idea to try to turn on the AC inside the house and see if it is working. Checking out the unit will tell you the age or condition of it. New or newer is +1.
7. Pool: Not every house has a pool, but it it does check the pool to see if it has a cover, if the walls of the pool are intact, is there water, has it been cleaned? Something else to not about pools if you get a house with one, is that it will be more maintenance for you and affect your utility bills. Personal preference on whether you want a pool or not, if you do- for a pool in good shape +1.
8. Pool Equipment: Assuming there is a pool, how is the equipment that is there to take care of the pool? Older, less efficient, equipment will cost you more money in maintaining and using your pool. Consider if you need to upgrade the equipment to lower your monthly bill for your pool. Newer equipment +1.
9. Appliances: Some homes come with appliances. Appliances would be: Fridge, Stove, Washer, Dryer, and Dishwasher. If the home has them, are they usable? What is their age? Do you need to replace them? Add a +1 accordingly.
10. Plumbing: Older homes have galvanized pipes while newer homes would have Copper pipes. Besides being different in material, copper pipes are also bigger by a significant amount. If the home has galvanized pipes, you will have to change those to copper pipes before an emergency happens which forces you to do so. Copper pipes are +1.
Now, a home may be a good home for you-even if according to this checklist it does not get a good grade. But this list lets you go into the house knowing all your possibilities and risks, and fully assess the joys and the responsibilities of being a home owner with that particular home. Please enjoy a checklist for yourself available here:
https://beacon.by/moxi-zombi-marketing/hidden-value-in-your-home
Yorba Linda, CA-TRREG DRE#01843673-RP100 DRE#02059058-P:714-831-1800-E:info@theresultsrealestategroup.com-W:www.theresultsrealestategroup.com-Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn
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