Things You Should Look for When Shopping Homes

Buying a home can be a huge purchase, and for many - the biggest. You want to make sure that you inspect every single detail, and that nothing is left unnoticed so you're not surprised later on. From inside to outside and top to bottom, there are many areas that you'll want to get up close with to make sure nothing seems out of sorts. At eXp Realty, our Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents are experienced in these walk-throughs, and can help you make a wise purchase, but just so you're prepared, here are a few things you'll want to look for when looking at a Lake of the Ozarks home.


Examine the Roof
When you're buying a home, you want to make sure that there aren't any concerns with the roof. Look at the surface and make sure you aren't seeing any bubbles, dents, bumps, concaves, etc. Does the roof look new? These are a few of the things you'll want to notice as you inspect the roof of the home. Replacing it can get costly, so pay attention to it before you even walk into the home.

Focus on the Important Things
When you first walk into the home, try to tune out that awkward shade of green that's on the walls, and focus on structural details and appliances. Are there huge pits in the carpet where the floorboard could be damaged? What about light bulbs - do they all work? It may not be a big deal if one just happened to go out, but it could also mean that there is a wiring issue. Do the appliances in the kitchen look like they are in good working order? These are the pieces of a home that can get expensive to replace, but a can of paint is a very easy fix.

Check the Heating and Cooling
Take a peek at the heating and cooling units, if they look old it's probably because they are. Once again, this can be a pricey thing to upgrade when you get into a home. After getting the mortgage settled and making some extra purchases for the home, you don't want to turn around and replace these out of pocket. It may even be a good idea to have a professional HVAC specialist inspect the furnace before making an offer.

How's the Plumbing?
Be sure to check out all of the pipe work that you can. Inspect under the sinks and look for mold, mildew, dampness and water stains. You can also inspect the yard for unusual puddles. While this doesn't always mean there are leaks, it can be a sign.

Inspect Everything Closely
While it may not be necessary to check things out when you're walking through a home for the very first time, it's certainly something you should do if you decide to move forward with putting in an offer.  Before making a big decision such as purchasing a home, you want to look for any problems. Turn on all of the faucets, and wait for hot water, open cabinets and drawers to make sure they are functional, and even turn on light switches. This will help you get a feel for the overall working order of the house. You do have an inspection that you can fall back on, but it's still nice to see for yourself that there is an issue before paying for any inspection.

Best Real Estate at the Lake of the Ozarks
We walk through the house with you, and don't just "show" you the home, but we investigate it with you. We will help you find details about it that may or may not be a good fit for your family, and if it's not, we'll help you find another home that is. Any one of our all-star real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks would love to help you find the home of your dreams, so visit our website today!

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2011 REALTOR Salesperson of the Year
Missouri Association of Realtors


752 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Suite A
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office | 573.365.1555
Fax | 573.365.1766

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