RAINY DAYS: THE BEST DAYS FOR HOUSE HUNTING
A lot of people run away from house hunting during rainy season because they think of the inconveniences that come with it. Buyers seem to be hesitant, if not downright reluctant, to keep appointments when it is raining. Truly, it is not always convenient to get in and out of the car in the rain and to remove your wet shoes when entering a home. These things can be a real chore but what’s the point of buying the house of your dreams if it sits on a crumbling foundation?
There’s no better time to see a house than when it’s raining. See, rain isn’t always a bad factor to consider when house hunting. There are several reasons why rain can be of great help when you’re looking for a new home.
Here are just a few of the best reasons why rainy days should be saved for house hunting, whenever possible.
THE ROOF
The first thing you should do upon viewing a house in the rain is lookup. Some roofs give themselves away immediately. Just look for water stains — which may take on the shape of a “puddle” ringed in brown. In some cases, there may just be a drip. Or, interior walls may appear lumpy. There is no easier way to see an existing interior problem than viewing a house during the rain. House hunting during the rain will help you to see if the home has a leaky roof or it hasn’t been installed correctly. Even a few minor issues will show up during a good rainstorm if there are issues with the home’s roof.
READ: CONFIDENCE: YOUNG HOMEBUYERS KEY TO SUCCESS
INVESTIGATE THE GUTTER
The function of the gutters and downspouts is to direct rainwater away from the home. A healthy blast of rain will expose bad gutters in a heartbeat. While too much rain can easily overwhelm some gutters, if they are functioning well, the gutters won’t overflow or leak. Instead, they will do their job and move water away from the home.
Check to make sure the downspouts are connected, as well. It’s also a good idea to figure out where the downspouts take the water.
CHECK FOR ANY DRAINAGE PROBLEMS
When it rains, it’s easier to see if the home has drainage issues. Does the yard hold water or is it graded properly? Does water seep into the garage? Where does the rain puddle up? Does it all end up near the foundation? If the water does puddle in areas where it shouldn’t be, you will be able to find out if drainage has been set up already.
As you get a feel for the outside of the home, a rainy day will help you to see if the grassy areas become soft and muddy or if they stay firm. If the home doesn’t have good drainage through the soil, this could be bad for the foundation.
BASEMENT MOISTURE
If you’ve noticed some potential signs of water issues outdoors and the house has a basement, there’s a good chance that it translates to basement issues. It’s not always visible damage. Make sure you look for any wet spots on the carpet, unfinished concrete or any other area of the basement. You may want to look for mould, as well.
Does the basement smell mouldy and damp? It’s a very distinctive smell that, besides being an indication of moisture issues with the home, can have major health implications and needs to be identified and removed.
Knowing about any of these issues may impact how much a buyer is willing to offer for a property and could save them from making an expensive mistake that isn’t uncovered until after closing. Isn’t that worth getting out in the rain for?
To know more about Middlechase Property Limited, click on the link below: Middlechase Property Limited or call 08186577504.
