Buying your first home is truly one of the most exciting feelings! You’re about to make a big life change and make one of the biggest decisions in your life. Do you want a house close to your office? Is a big backyard important? Do you prefer something close to mass transit? Are good schools a priority? There are so many possibilities and options to choose from, that sometimes it can get a little overwhelming too. Worry not! As local NJ homeowners and professional railing and stair installers, we’ve seen quite a few things when it comes to houses and interiors. We’ve also renovated our fair share of our own personal homes, so we want to impart some of our knowledge to you! Our helpful list of things to consider when shopping for your new home aims to reduce your stress and take some of the guesswork out of the process.
The Basics: What Four Essential Things To Look For Before Shopping for a New Home
What can you afford to spend on a property?
You will need to understand your Debt-to-Income ratio in order to know how much you can estimate to borrow. This is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt by your gross monthly income; on average it’s recommended to be 43% or less. The general rule of thumb is your housing costs should be no more than 28% of your total income and no more than 36% of your total monthly debt payments. You’ll want to be ready to make as large of a down payment as possible to reduce your monthly mortgage payment and qualify you for a lower interest rate. The higher the credit score you have, the better, too!
What are your ideal locations to live, and what are the property taxes like?
Narrow down a top 5 to 10 choices of desirable areas to live in, and research recent amounts charged for property taxes in each. This can be broken down even further to check recently sold houses in different neighbourhoods you’d ultimately love to reside in.
What is the general overall house size you’d want?
Before you even contact a realtor, consider the maximum and minimum square footage that would be adequate to live comfortably for your house size. Consider things such as pets, children, work-from-home offices, number of bathrooms required, etc. It’s important to choose something that’s sensible for your lifestyle and household size. If you’re a single person with a small pet or it’s just you and your partner, you can select a smaller accommodation than say a family of 4.
What is your ideal yard size?
Are you looking for a home with established landscaping? A custom patio for entertaining? Looking for a yard with ample grass and an in-ground pool? Some folks prefer to have low-maintenance yard work and don’t require space for gardening or large, lush green lawns with a lot of upkeep. On the other hand, the influx of pet owners, especially dog enthusiasts, has seen an uptick in desirability for properties with large backyards and reasonable fence heights. Another thing to consider when selecting a house for yard size is privacy - houses set further back from the road or with large side and rear yard offer more privacy from neighbours and the public. Make a list of your must-haves and non-negotiables for the property that fit your entertainment and leisure needs.
The Details: A Handful of Specific Qualities and Quirks to Look Out For
Make sure to thoroughly check out the home’s exterior!
Look for a roof in decent condition, the newer the better as replacing a roof is a very hefty expense as a new homeowner, in the $10,000+ range. Be on the lookout for missing shingles, leaks, and overall condition/age.
Inspect the foundation next, ensuring no cracks or damage, uneven settling, warping, and note any unusual colors/textures. You’ll want to make sure nothing is protruding and everything is level.
Check over the exterior siding and look for signs of damage, decay, rot, or peeling paint. Make sure nothing will need replacing or repainting in the near future to avoid costly payments.
Ensure that there is efficient and adequate heating/cooling.
Look for good quality windows that seal properly and don’t show signs of water damage/condensation. Newer windows offer more heating and cooling and energy efficiency.
Check the HVAC and heating/cooling systems are at their mid-life or newer to prolong large costs for repair or replacements.
If you live in an area with warmer summers and increasing temperatures, consider opting for something with Central Air for maximum comfort and efficiency.
Thoroughly check the Kitchen and Bathrooms.
Have the realtor demonstrate and test the faucets, shower and bath spouts, and ensure the toilets flush adequately.
Check the sinks, toilet, dishwasher, and water-enabled refrigerator if applicable, for signs of leaks or water damage
Inspect the appliances for severe signs of wear and tear like cracked cooktops, missing knobs, etc.
Double check the railings and stairs for adequate safety and sturdiness.
If you have children, small pets, or elderly family members it’s very important to ensure that the railings are installed properly and are quite sturdy. You’ll want to apply slight pressure to the handrails to check for wobbling and movement, and ensure there’s at least 1.5” clearance from the wall for hand grasp.
Likewise, check the stairs are free of obstruction, can easily be refinished if carpeted, and have adequate headroom.
If a home was DIY renovated, it may not have been inspected to code and may be missing indoor handrails or balusters.
Ensure stairwells have adequate, clear, bright lighting and that the stairs are not too steep nor do they have “surprise steps” that are not easily visible and could cause a tripping hazard
This is by no means an exhaustive or fully comprehensive list of things to look for when shopping for a house. You should consult with your realtor and home inspector to ensure you’ve properly checked all aspects of the house for safety and stability.
If you’ve recently purchased a home or are in the process of renovating, feel free to give Pinto Carpentry a call! We would be happy to provide you with an estimate for new railings and stairs, or to repair or replace components of your existing indoor handrail and indoor staircase. We work with previously existing homes and businesses as well as with general contractors on new construction. There’s no job too large or job too small, here at Pinto Carpentry we do it all!
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