Key Features to Look For in a House before Moving In
After a long wait, you finally found your dream house, and are excited to move in. But before you make arrangements with the movers, conduct a thorough inspection of the house and look if the features listed below are present and in good condition.
Comfortable Living Spaces
See if the number and size of rooms meet your family’s requirement. Ask the following basic questions: (1) Are there enough bedrooms for the family? (2) Will the bedroom assignments – room sharing considered – give enough privacy and space to each occupant? (3) What adjustments can be made with regard to size to accommodate everyone? (4) Is the living room conducive for family activities? (5) Are the dining area and the kitchen spacious enough to accommodate your furniture and equipment?
Next consideration is the garage which is very important if you have a car or any other vehicle you’ll need to secure when not in use. Moreover, this precious space can hold various knick knacks which you cannot part with but are unwanted in the house: mechanical spare parts,science mini-projects in progress, cycling safety gear, recyclable household wastes, and others.
Check if there is a basement or an attic. Availability of these spaces will afford you more flexibility in arranging furniture and assigning personal spaces.
Ample Storage Space
Look if there is built-in closet, and if such is in good condition – no lurking termites or dust mites, no splintered surface, and no broken edges. If there is none available, or you think the existing ones don’t provide enough space, check where you can have closets built, and how much floor space will be needed.
You will likewise need working counters and storage spaces in the kitchen, so check if the current features meet your requirement. Wooden or tiled surfaces are fine, as long as there are no loose corners or shaky foundations. If you engage in gardening or backyard farming as hobbies, or if your family has pets, check if there is a garden shed, space for your animal house, or any other storage space for your gardening tools, small farm implements, and other requirements.
Good Connections
It is important to inspect electrical wiring and water pipe connections inside and outside the house. Be sure that these are working and safe for your usage. Check for signs of tear, like bared wires or rusted pipes. See if the light switches and electric sockets are working fine, and the faucets, shower heads, and toilets in good condition. You won’t want short circuits causing fires in your home, or unclean water used in your household.
Depending on the climate in your chosen location, assess the need for a thermostat. See if you can make optimum use of an existing mechanism for temperature control, or if you will need to replace it. It is also good to weigh the merits of tall doors and windows for ventilation in a humid environment, or a fireplace to ward off the chill in cold locations.