There’s more to house hunting than seeking out the right size, price, and neighborhood. To help you find your true dream home, Dallas’ real estate pros share some oft-overlooked items you should add to your checklist before signing on that dotted line.
Check the size of the garage to make sure your cars will fit.
“This can be especially important in older homes, when garages weren’t built to accommodate multiple full-size SUVs,” says Christine Danuser of the Danuser Rado Group at Compass.
Test out the soundproofing.
Danuser’s suggestion: “Have your kids run around upstairs while you are downstairs to see how sound travels.”
Check the quality of the finish-out.
“There are so many flipped-house horror stories out there,” says Jeff Duffey, owner and broker of Jeff Duffey & Associates. To tell if the work was done by a professional, he suggests looking closely at the edges of the tile, the corners where crown molding meets, and the flooring transitions through doorways.
It might seem obvious, but consider the home’s location when making an offer.
“If it’s a great house but the location has some drawbacks, like nearby power lines or traffic problems, make sure the price you’re paying is in accordance with those issues,” says Duffey.
See if the yard has an irrigation system.
“First-time homebuyers often overlook the importance of a sprinkler system,” says Travis Horton, owner and broker of Twigg Realty. “It takes a lot of water to keep yards green and healthy, and having to hand-water can be a drag.”
For luxury or larger homes, ask if there’s a circulation pump for the hot water.
“If homes don’t have this, you might have to wait several minutes for the hot water to travel from the water heater to the shower,” says Horton. “This is wasteful and time-consuming.”
Check out the traffic situation.
Is there traffic congestion from schools, sporting events, churches, or businesses? Danuser recommends visiting the house during different times of day and on different days of the week to find out.
Get your mind on the gutters.
“It’s not glamorous, but I think gutters are overlooked,” says Duffey. “They serve a tremendous purpose for maintaining a home’s foundation, especially in Texas.”
Let there be light.
Danuser’s advice: “Try turning off all the overhead lights in the home to see how much natural light it receives during different times of the day.”
Be sure to read the HOA rules and regulations.
What do they allow? What don’t they allow? As Duffey says, “We all know there are rules, but we don’t want to pay attention to them.”
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