What to Look For as You Tour a Potential House in VT

Being in the market for a new home is both joyous and a bit overwhelming. As you search for you dream home there are so many different things to consider. While you view houses here are a few things to pay close attention too.

As you head into your potential new home be aware of smells that may hint at bigger problems. Smells like mold ( dirty gym socks ) and mildew (mustiness) may be a sign of poor ventilation, water damage, or leaking pipes. These odors are not only a sign of possible damage but they can also be hazardous to your health. Odors like cigarette smoke or pet smells are less alarming but may hang out longer than you’d like despite your best cleaning efforts if they have been present long enough to have seeped into the walls and floors.

1. Look for any cracks that are greater than 1/8th of an inch. While some cracking may be normal due to the settling of the house, larger cracks may also indicate foundation issues and water damage.

2. Pay attention to warping or “bounciness” in the floors as they can be a sign of permanent water damage, termites or poor construction.

3. Water damage can cause havoc in homes if it is to severe and may not be noticed if you aren’t looking for it directly. Signs like bubbling in the walls, staining, and buckling of baseboards are a good place to start looking.

While a wobbly ceiling fan and creaky doors may be boldly obvious it is important to look for bigger problems. Leaky water heaters and poorly ventilated HVAC systems can cost thousands. Check the faucets for brown or rust stained waters as they may signal pipes need replacing. Warm or vibrating outlets and flickering lights may be a sign that wiring needs updating. Be aware of gas odors around appliances, old valves or poor connections may cause dangerous gas leaks.

Though you may be excited to find that the home listed as 2 bedroom 1 bath has an extra bathroom be aware that any unpermitted building by previous home owners may cause you a world of trouble with fines from the city as well as labor costs to tear it down. Look for things like converted garages, rooms that have lower roof lines from the outside or freestanding accessory dwelling units.