Looking Past the Aesthetics of a Home during a Viewing

When you're out in the city looking at homes you’re going to see some beauties. Many of the homes that you'll be viewing will be staged to look their best and most will be immaculate. One of the most important things to have set just right in the home is an aesthetic appeal but you need to look past this and ask questions to make sure that you find a home that doesn't only look fantastic but is completely functional as well.

Ask about the plumbing

Ask if there are any leaking pipes or faucets that aren't working properly in the home. You should also find out when the last time a plumber was called in and the reason for his visit. If there are any types of major plumbing repairs that will need to be done this may drastically impact your decision to purchase.

Don't forget to find out about the heating

This is, in fact, one of the most important questions you should be asking - especially if you're interested in an older home. There are still houses that are running on electric heat and oil, which can create a tremendous impact on your utility bill budget.

How old is the roof?

The average roof can last approximately 25 years before it needs an overhaul. Ask about the age of the roof and whether it has been repaired recently or not.

Take a look at the windows

Do the windows look like the newer energy-efficient models or are they showing their age? Drafty windows will also run up your energy bills in the cold of winter. As well, moisture running in through the cracks can lead to a buildup of mold and mildew and ultimately damage the window frames.

Has the wiring been inspected recently?

If you are looking at a newer home you won't have to worry about the wiring but in the case of older homes it can cause a problem. Find out how old the wiring is and whether it's been inspected lately for safety reasons.

These are some of the questions that you can ask your Calgary real estate agent when you're viewing a home. In some cases you'll have to wait for a home inspector to give you the final word but you should be able to get a general idea about the roof, heating and windows from the agent. The more data you gather about any potential home that you're interested in the better able you'll be to make an informed decision about moving forward with an offer.