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Buying a house can be a stressful process, so once you have found the house of your dreams, you probably want to get the buying process completed as soon as possible so that you can move in and enjoy your new home. While it is tempting to move in at the first opportunity, it is essential to carry out several checks first.
Your home is your biggest purchase, and a significant portion of your monthly income is spent on your house each month. Due to the large amounts of cash involved and because your home is where you spend most of your time, you need to make sure that it is a safe place for you and your family.
Rushing into buying a home without undertaking the appropriate checks could prove a costly mistake. Finding out after purchasing your home that there is something seriously wrong with it is always distressing. Unexpected issues can incur substantial costs, not to mention lots of disruption and stress. This can be avoided by ensuring that necessary checks are carried out before you complete your purchase. Being proactive now can prevent a lot of hassle in the future.
When purchasing a house, it is vital to be fully informed so that you know exactly what you are buying. Here are some of the checks you should get carried out before signing on the dotted line and picking up the keys:
Home Inspection
Getting the property checked over by a home inspector is a must. During their inspection, a property inspector will lookout for potential issues in the house and highlight these to you if they spot any potential problems.
It is important to remember that while a property inspector my suspect problems, they are not a specialist. This means that you will need to enlist the services of an expert to provide a further investigation into any potential issues identified by the inspection.
Radon Testing
You may be thinking to yourself, Is Radon Really That Dangerous? In short, the answer is yes; Radon is potentially dangerous to yourself and your family if it is present in your home. Radon can have serious health implications, such as an increased risk of lung cancer. The problem is unless you have a specialist inspection, you will not know if radon is an issue in your home. Therefore, calling in the professionals to inspect it is vital.
Electrical Safety
Electrical safety should always be a priority. As electricity is needed for so many of your home’s functions, it is vital to get the electrical box checked on the house you plan to purchase. An old electrical box could cause problems once you move into the house, and may also raise safety concerns. Getting an electrician to assess the condition of the electrical box is essential both from a safety perspective and for your peace of mind. Finding out that the box needs replacing after you move in will mean disruption and added expense that you could do without.
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