Consider These 6 Things When House Hunting

Before you make an offer on what you deem is the “perfect” home, make sure to consider these six tiny details, that although small, could turn an ideal house into a purchase you may regret. 

1. Check Your Cell Reception: Does your future dream home have cell reception? Check your signal when you’re on the property and see if it has dead spots, poor/limited data connections, or flat-out “NO SERVICE” messages. If you plan to telecommute or skip having a landline, this is especially important. While you can try and live on VoIP connections, WiFi, and other options, the hassle of a hole-in-cell coverage can wear on you.
2. Calculate Your Commute: When clocking your commute, make sure you don’t use a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Instead, try it during rush hour on a Monday (in bad weather if you can swing it). You might be surprised how school zones, backed-up interstate ramps, new construction, and peak transit schedules extend that commute. Calculate the commute for urban commutes as well. Even if you don’t drive to work, you’ll want to evaluate the commute in real-world conditions.
3. Check the Delivery Zone: Restaurant delivery areas are often drawn like congressional districts, so if you can, check out what the local food delivery options are like ahead of time. Lookup a few places, call them and verify they deliver to your address. (Asking the average delivery time is a good idea, too.)
4. Do a 24/7 Check: The home may be in a neighborhood that is quiet and peaceful on a Saturday afternoon, but what was it like on Friday night? What kind of traffic is there in the mornings? There may be an excessive number of children playing in the street in the afternoons after school. It is wise to do a drive-by at various times of the day and multiple days of the week to make sure you don’t have surprises pop up.
5. Give it the Sniff Test: Do you smell sewage, gas, or anything equally unpleasant? Sewage systems in older homes can sometimes get clogged or damaged by tree roots. Luckily, some sewer or plumbing companies can send a camera through the pipes to detect breaks or blockages. How does it smell outside? Some neighborhoods have distinct odors from nearby farms, landfills, water treatment plants, and industrial parks. It is vital to give it the sniff test inside and out.
6. Touch EVERYTHING: Turn on every faucet and light switch, open every window and door, and flush the toilets. Buying a house is a big step, and you need to know how everything works firsthand. Don’t forget to taste the water. There are water treatment options, but water quality is something you will want to know before becoming homeowners.

Markets can be super competitive, but remember that you’re planning on living in this new house for a considerable amount of time. (Most people would tell you at least 5 – 7 years.) Perhaps your priorities don’t include these six details, but they might to other buyers when you’re ready to sell.

As a realtor, I truly respect the time it takes to find the best home for the best price. I diligently do my homework for you to find what you are looking for. Contact me at 

928-916-1921, and I’d be happy to show you around homes for sale in the Prescott area.