Home inspection reports quite often show problems or potential deal killers in prospective homes. This month, let’s take a different approach and look at the things that will make you confident you found a great home.
Have you ever heard the term “good bones” applied to a house? Usually that means the house is well built. It can also mean it’s in pretty good shape but needs a bit of work. In reality, there’s not a house out there that a buyer won’t feel needs some work. Maybe the shower stall is too plain, or the sink not decorative enough. It’s all very objective from a buyer’s point of view. Putting aesthetic elements aside, here’s a list of things that show you’ve found a great house.
Roof and Foundation
If the roof and foundation are in good shape, this is a very good sign. Why? These two house components are the most expensive to repair or replace. So if the home you’re considering has a solid foundation and has had a recent roof makeover, those are feathers in your cap.
What about roof type? A good shingle roof is expected to remain in decent shape for about 15-20 years. Concrete and terracotta tile roofs can last 50-75 years. A galvanized metal roof can last 50-60 years.
How about foundations? Do they last a long time? Generally, they do. Longevity factors depend on the amount of ground movement, concrete quality, engineering, watering habits of the homeowner, proximity to trees and shrubs, and more. There is no typical answer. A foundation could fail in six months, or it may never fail. So if your inspector tells you the house has a good, solid foundation, that’s always a good sign.
Quality of Building Materials
There’s a common belief that wood used in older homes is of higher quality than what’s found in newer construction. Don’t take that as gospel; the quality of building materials is a reflection of the quality of the homebuilder.
Brick and stone in good condition are safe bets. Wood or shingles can be worrisome, but your inspector can tell you if it’s well built and free of problems. Siding can be attractive, but beware! A recent siding job can be an attempt to hide serious problems.
If the house is constructed of quality materials, and it all appears to be in good shape, so much the better.
Electrical Wiring
Wiring should be something you don’t even notice in a house. The electrical panel should be tidy, with no open holes or loose wires showing. The best wiring is copper, not aluminum. Fixtures and sockets should not feel hot to the touch. If your inspector gives the home’s wiring a favorable rating, you can settle in and comfortably enjoy the conveniences of our modern, electronic world.
Natural Light
Never underestimate the power of natural light to make a home bright and cheerful, especially in the winter. Ideally, each room should have windows on more than one side to flood the room with natural sunlight. If this is paired with “passive solar” features, such as a natural stone floor to soak up heat during the day and release it at night, that’s even better. Some people love natural light so much that they install skylights or special fixtures, known as solar tubes, to bring in more natural light. These features are a plus, but be sure to ask your inspector to make sure there are no leaks around where they enter the roof.
As the saying goes, “A room full of light is a happy room.” If the house you’re considering has light and airy rooms, that can make it hard to turn down.
Sensible Design
Inside and out, the structure of a house must flow simply and naturally. Rooms should be laid out for both form and function. Avoid complex, labyrinthine structures that wind from room to room. Some would call that “bad feng shui.” The overall design should be attractively simple. If there have been additions to the house, be sure they flow with the design of the original structure.
Beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder, but a house designed with simple elegance of form is one you will enjoy for years to come.
Flexible Layout
Good houses have both public and private spaces, and the transition between the two is essential to comfortable living. Does the house offer a family room? Is the living room spacious enough for your family and friends? If you strike the balance between public and private space, you’ve got a winner.
Architectural Details
Exposed beams, beadboard ceilings, chair rails, arches, and ornate wood frames around doors and windows are becoming scarce. If the house has any of these, that’s a great bonus.
All Things In Balance
Rooms should be spacious, but not huge. Ceilings should be high, but not soaring. Tiny rooms seem cramped and claustrophobic, while huge rooms seem cavernous and uninviting. The best homes have found the right balance, with rooms that seem to just open up and invite you in.
Is the home you’re considering a really great find? Call Peter Young Home Inspections today and let us find out. Peter Young Home Inspections is a leader in Asheville Home Inspections, serving Buncombe County, Henderson County, and surrounding areas.
