8 Things Homebuyers Frequently Forget to Check

While house hunting, it’s easy to become fixated on things like a specific neighborhood, number of bedrooms, recent renovations, and price point. Those things matter, but some of the biggest problems with a house aren’t as obvious at first glance. Before making an offer, take a closer look at these often-overlooked details.

1. Whether the House Will Be Easy to Sell Later

Consider how other buyers might view the house someday, even if you think it will be your forever home. Plans change, and if you need to sell, you don’t want it to be an uphill battle. Those tiny bedrooms might work for you, but most people want larger spaces. You might easily overlook an unusual layout, but most buyers won’t be able to. Quirky features might not bother you at all, but it could massively limit your future pool of buyers.

2. What the Neighborhood Is Like at Different Times

A neighborhood can seem super peaceful in the middle of a Tuesday and become much louder in the evening after everyone gets home. Visit at night and on a weekend if you can. Pay attention to traffic, loud neighbors blasting music, barking dogs, nearby businesses, and any other source of noise. You want to know what living there will actually be like.

3. How Much Storage Is Really Available

Storage isn’t exactly exciting during a showing, which is probably why it’s so easy to forget about it. We’re not just talking about storing the camping gear you use once a year; it pertains to daily use items. Open closets, cabinets, and pantries and think realistically about everything you own, where it would go, and how easily you could access it. Also look for places to store larger items such as Christmas decorations, luggage, tools, bikes, and lawn equipment. A lack of storage suddenly becomes noticeable after you move in.

4. How Convenient Everyday Life Will Be

The house itself isn’t the only thing that affects your quality of life. Check how far you’ll be from grocery stores, restaurants, parks, schools, doctors, and any facilities you regularly use. Driving an extra 20 minutes tends to seem doable, until you have to do it multiple times a day.

5. Internet and Cell Service

A beautiful house suddenly becomes the bane of your existence when your phone barely works inside it, and your internet options are trash. Check your reception during the showing and research which internet providers service the exact address. This is particularly important if you work from home, though even those of us who casually access the internet can quickly grow frustrated with buffering screens.

6. The Property Tax Bill

The sale price and mortgage payment are just part of the home cost equation. Property taxes can add a substantial amount to your monthly expense. Though most of us don’t consider it, two similarly priced homes in nearby areas can have very different property taxes. Look up the property’s current tax bill but don’t automatically assume you’ll pay the same amount. Get an idea of how likely taxes are to go up after the sale. Also, find out whether the property will be reassessed after the purchase.

7. The Expensive Stuff Behind the Pretty Finishes

A newly renovated kitchen can distract you from a 20-year-old HVAC system. Don’t let surface upgrades or a fresh coat of paint become the reason you make an offer. Pay attention to the biggies: roof, plumbing, electrical system, windows, foundation, heating and cooling equipment, and past or current leaks. Paint is cheap. A new roof definitely isn’t.

8. Major Construction Coming to the Area

Research planned construction, including zoning changes, new roads, commercial businesses, and big housing projects. Some changes can actually make an area much more desirable. But others can completely change the reason you liked the home in the first place. A once-quiet street can feel very different with a large gas station in front of it.

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