3 Things to Look for When Buying a Well-Maintained Home in Hamilton

Buying a home is a major decision, and the condition of the property matters just as much as how much you like the kitchen, the layout or the backyard.

You don't need to be a contractor to start assessing how well a home has been maintained. There are some things you can look for while viewing a property that may give you reason to ask more questions.

Here are three areas I would pay attention to when you're buying a home in Hamilton.

1. Look for Signs of Water Damage

Water can cause significant problems in a home, so it's worth paying attention to anything that looks unusual.

Look at ceilings, walls and areas around windows and doors for staining, discoloration, bubbling paint or other signs that moisture may have been present.

That doesn't necessarily mean there is an active problem. There can be many explanations for a stain or repair. But it is something worth asking about.

If you see something that concerns you, ask the seller or their REALTOR® whether they know what caused it and whether it was repaired.

And if you proceed with the purchase, a professional home inspection can provide a much more thorough assessment.

2. Pay Attention to the Roof and Exterior

You don't need to climb onto a roof yourself to start looking for potential concerns.

From the ground, look at the overall condition of the roof and exterior of the home. Are there obvious areas that appear damaged or neglected? Are shingles missing or visibly deteriorated? Does the exterior appear to have been reasonably maintained?

Also look at things such as eavestroughs, downspouts, siding, brickwork and areas where water drains away from the house.

None of these observations can tell you exactly how long something will last. They can, however, help you identify questions to ask and areas that may deserve closer attention.

3. Look for Evidence of Ongoing Maintenance

Sometimes the little things tell you a lot about how a home has been cared for.

Pay attention to things such as worn caulking, damaged trim, loose railings, neglected landscaping, peeling paint or other small repairs that appear to have been left unattended.

Inside the home, look at the condition of the furnace, air conditioning system, windows, plumbing fixtures and other major components.

Ask what the homeowners know about the age and maintenance history of these systems.

You aren't trying to determine whether the house is perfect. No house is.

You're trying to get a better understanding of how the property has been cared for and whether there may be maintenance costs you need to plan for.

A Home Inspection Still Matters

There is a limit to what you can determine during a showing.

A home may look great and still have issues that aren't obvious to the average buyer. That's why a professional home inspection can be an important part of the buying process.

The goal isn't to find a house with absolutely nothing wrong with it. The goal is to understand the condition of the home well enough to make an informed decision about whether it is the right property for you.

If you're looking at homes in Hamilton and want to talk through what to pay attention to during the buying process, I'm happy to help.

Sincerely,

Mike McCarthy, MBA
REALTOR®