40% of Americans site home buying as the most stressful aspect of modern life. Whether you’re about to buy your first home or your fifth, the process doesn’t seem to get any easier.

To avoid buyer’s regret, it’s vital to create a buying a new home checklist. This will help you stay organized while looking at properties, and help you avoid buying a money pit.

Do you need help getting started? Keep reading to discover 4 things everyone should look for in their new home.

1. Good Bones

The “bones” are the most important aspect of any home. Things like the foundation, roof, and plumbing can be costly to fix and result in a domino effect.

For example, if your home has a bad roof, water may have seeped through and caused mold to grow in your attic. Suddenly you have two big projects on your hands!

So before buying any home, make sure you get a thorough inspection. During the tours, you can check the roof from afar, look for large cracks, feel for uneven floors (or bring a marble to see if it rolls on the floor), and check for water damage and mold under the sinks, in the attic, and around the bathtub.

2. Your Must-Haves

Every couple has a wish list. But it’s important to separate your wants from your needs.

For example, if you have a large family, you may need 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, extra storage space, and room for a pantry in the kitchen. Focus on this list when you’re looking at homes. Your wants, like French doors leading to the patio or a large closet, are nice to have but can oftentimes be added later.

If you can’t find a home that doesn’t meet your needs, don’t panic! Another option would be to buy land at Carver’s Reach and build a custom home.

3. New Windows

Windows are often overlooked when touring homes. However, old windows may have sustained water damage, have broken locks, or lost their insulation qualities. The later can result in higher heating and cooling bills as your home struggles to trap that warm or cool air in.

It’s important to make sure the windows look relatively new and have working locks. Look for water damage on the walls around the window and check any wood for swelling. You’ll also want to make sure they open and close easily.

4. A Nice Yard

An unmaintained yard is a huge red flag. Think about it—if nobody cared enough to mow the lawn, what else didn’t they bother to maintain?

You’ll also want to look for any potential problems that lie right on the edge of your yard. A river may look nice, but it could also flood. The last thing you want is a swamp in your backyard every time it rains.

Of course, you’ll also want to choose a house with a nice size lawn. If you have kids, you may want enough room for your grill and garden as well as their swing set and playhouse.

Your Buying a New Home Checklist

Don’t go into the home-buying process unprepared! Instead, follow this buying a new home checklist to ensure you find the perfect home.

Are you looking for some design tips to turn your new house into a home? Then check out the rest of our blog today!