For New Home Buyers

Finding the right home can be a long and difficult struggle particularly if you are new to the property
buying game. Presently, prices are stable and there are a number of houses on the market, so it’s best you take your time. I’ve made a list of some important things you need to look out for before signing that offer:

• Location: In real estate, they say the 3 most important things to look out for are location, location and location. This is true as you can change everything else about your home except the location but again it’s also when the real work of looking begins.
• Structure: This includes the foundation, walls, floors, ceiling, and roof. One of the things you'll want to watch out for is water penetration, water logged areas or areas prone to flooding. Take a walk around the building, look for any signs of mold and mildew on the floors or walls. This is a sure sign of damp. Check to see the water drainage system of the building within its compound and outside. Also, go inside and knock on a few walls. Walls that sound empty and hollow are probably just that, so be wary. 
•  Kitchen: the most expensive room to remodel is the kitchen. You’ll want to carefully examine the following:
  

o   Cabinets: painted or stained solid wood or particle board? Know what you're buying. If it’s an old house you are buying, make sure the cabinets have been sprayed and they close properly.

o   Counters: laminate or solid surface? Laminates tend to stain and chip easily. Solid surface counters are more durable. But do you like the color? If it is new, this might be an added expense on your part.

o   Floor: tile, laminate, or wood? Laminate is the least expensive and is most commonly found in kitchens. Tile is the most durable, but it is cold on your feet and can chip or crack. Wood can create a warm, inviting look, but water can damage it - certainly a consideration if you have children.

• Plumbing: This is so important, it can’t be emphasized enough. This includes the bathrooms, toilets and sinks. Check for leaks or cracks in the piping, toilet tub and sink. You can go a step further and run some water to see if it leaks out. Ensure all faucets work well and the designated hot water faucet does have hot water.
• Doors and windows: there’s nothing more annoying than a door that doesn’t shut close or a hard-to-open window. Because of our climate, insects love this region, therefore to prevent them invading your home, check to ensure the doors and windows actually fit their frames. 
•  Electrical systems: this is usually not something the average person can inspect thoroughly but there are still some things you can do. Look for signs that the previous owner affected his own repairs, check for burn marks on junction boxes or more than one wire entering a circuit breaker connection. If it’s a new house, inspect for exposed wiring and ensure all switches, outlets and fixtures work properly. 
•  Interiors: The interior of the house can be inspected as a whole. Look at the walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, railings and doors. Watch for doors that don't work properly or don't fit correctly. Obviously, missing doors or windows should raise eyebrows, too. Ensure that any stairs are secure and railings aren't loose. Any signs of water damage, like stains, odor, and mildew should alert you to possible water damage. 
•  Security: check to see that all the doors into the house are fire proof doors in good conditions i.e., the locks work and they have peepholes. The windows too must all have burglary proofing for security of life and property. To get a real feel for a place, visit at different times of day and on different days of the week. 
• Check out the Neighborhood: Be sure the neighborhood, and not just the house, meets your expectations. How safe is the area? Visit the property at night to see how safe you'll feel about walking home. Bear in mind that the people who live around you can seriously affect your enjoyment of a property; check out if there’s a neighbourhood Watch scheme operating in the area, knock on the doors of people living in the street where you want to buy and ask about the good points and bad points of the area, how accessible is it to amenities and schools? Not only will this help you paint a more detailed picture of the neighbourhood you're moving to, but it also gives you a chance to see what the neighbours are like.
• The contract: Get a lawyer to read the contents of the contract for any loopholes before signing off.

What if you fall in love with a house that needs work? Negotiate a lower price or insist that the seller makes quality repairs prior to your finalizing the offer.

Now you know what to look for so you won't have unpleasant and costly surprises when you move into your new home. It's also important to work with a highly qualified real-estate agent and equally important to hire a quality home inspector. A quality home inspector will provide you with a detailed home report that might help you know more about the physical condition of the home than the current owner. This detailed report will cover all parts of the home, from the roof to basement floor. In the end, the best advice I can give anyone is to hire a professionals.

Any more advice???