We’ve already mentioned that buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments. It’s a huge decision, and not one to be taken lightly. To support your journey to home ownership, we put together some helpful tips in Things to Look Out for Before You Buy Your First Home – Part I. Now, due to popular demand, here are the next top things to look out for before you buy your first home.
Part 2: What to look for when buying your first home.
Energy Efficiency
Climate change is probably the most defining issue of our time. We are all very aware of the impact that energy sources have on our environment and the destruction of the planet. But what about the impact on the hip pocket too? Energy efficiency should be high on the agenda. The more energy efficient the house, the less fuel needs to be used, meaning less energy costs and less environmental damage. There are several ways a home can be more energy efficient. Check the lighting, is there LED lighting throughout the home? Are the windows made from energy efficient glass? Energy efficient glass also helps to lower your heating and cooling use and costs.
Heating and Cooling
While on the subject of energy efficiency, let’s take a look at the heating and cooling systems. Does the house already have heating and cooling installed? If not, you at least have some flexibility. You can choose and install the right heating and cooling system to suit the size of the home. Just remember, you will need to include this additional cost in your ‘home-buying’ budget. If the home already has heating and cooling, is it energy efficient? If so, you’ve hit the jackpot with this one. If not, you may have to research which heating and cooling system would be best, and include any additional costs for this in your budget.
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Bathroom and Kitchen
The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most important rooms in the house. Why? The kitchen is the heart of the home, the place where all the action happens. When you’re looking to buy, most people prefer a kitchen that looks good and is fully functional. Bathrooms tend to evoke emotions and create a vibe. Everyone loves a luxurious bathroom. If the kitchen or bathroom are poorly designed, they can be costly to fix or renovate. Take a close look to see how much work the kitchen and bathroom may need. Sometimes, simple repairs such as a coat of paint, new taps or plumbing fixtures, bath resurfacing, or grout cleaning is all that is needed.
These tips, along with those in Things to Look Out for Before You Buy Your First Home – Part I should arm you with valuable information to make an informed decision. Now, go out there and find your first home! Good luck!
Don’t forget, once you find your dream piece of real estate, there’s always a Jim’s local expert nearby, including Jim’s Removals. Our removalists ensure your household contents move safely from one place to the next.
Click here to see a full list of Jim’s other services that can help you around the home, or phone Jim’s on 131 546.
Related Jim’s Group Blogs:
– Things To Look Out For Before You Buy Your First Home – Part 1
– Average Cost To Build A 4 Bedroom House In Australia.
– Budget Home Maintenance Ideas In 2020
– Bushfires And Protecting Your Home.