We all know buying a new home is very stressful. There are a lot of factors we need to look at before buying a home and sometimes it’s not that easy as it looks. So to help you in finding your dream home we at Sourcemart will help you with a few tips that could and will help you.

These are the factors you need to look at.

  • You always need to consider schools for the kids
  • Is the new home close to your work
  • Is it affordable
  • Is the neighbourhood safe
  • How is the crime rate

The first thing you have to look for are hidden defects.

It is so easy to hide a crack in the wall with putty or special paint. A leak in the sink covered with duck tape all those things can cost you a lot of money at the end of the day if you are not careful of these hidden defects. Rather get someone to have a look at those things, someone who knows what to look for or come to Sourcemarts properties and we will help you towards getting your dream home .

 Beyond the clutter you always have to look and see the potential the house has
People have different ideas about décor and it’s not always the same as what you would prefer, always remember to look beyond the clutter, colours, cupboards and carpets because they might not be to your liking but remember if you look deeper into the house you could just find all the hidden potential.

Is the price right for you
When buying a home the price should not be too high and not too low, always try to do your research into the selling prices for the area so that you have a better chance of having your offer accepted. Also knowing if your budget will allow it.

 Use a home loan comparison service
Work out what you can afford to pay on a bond and get the best deal from a bank by using a home loan comparison service If you can get prequalified for a home loan, all the better. That way you know your credit score, and what you can realistically afford, before you put in an offer on a home.

Find a reputable estate agent
The right estate agent will help you find the right house in the right area at the right price for you. The best Estate Agent is different for everyone but try going to sourcemarts property where you will find many properties to your liking.

Investigate the area and see if it’s the right neighbourhood for you
Get a feel for the neighbourhood, day and night, and check on security with the local police station. If you’re buying anything but a freestanding home, high noise levels and bad views should be a deterrent.

it’s not inside…
Don’t forget to check the state and composition of the roof because you don’t want a collapsing roof problem on your hands

Feel it
Get a sense of the indoor temperature to work out how hot or cold the home will be, depending on the season. It could influence your electricity bill sometimes you will need that aircon on 24/7 as it could be so hot or so cold that when you get that bill end of the month you might just freeze your bones right there from the shock.

Look into everything
Don’t be afraid to open cupboards, lift loose carpets, look underneath bathroom and kitchen sinks, flush toilets, flick switches and open and close windows and doors to check the state of shelving, flooring, plumbing and general functionality because in the end of the day you don’t want a braking down house that will cost you so much more in the end you want to sell again because its getting to expensive to pay now just to fix the things

Inspect it
If you’re really keen on buying a particular property insist on a report following a professional home inspection. This should highlight any physical defects such as leaks, faulty geysers or noteworthy wall cracks. A good home inspection company will also establish whether all structures on the property are legal and have been approved by the local authority.

 Fibre-optic cable
Driven by the rising demand for higher bandwidth and faster-speed connections, fibre-optic transmission is becoming more and more common in modern homes – but it’s still worth enquiring after it when considering a new home as not all suburbs in South Africa are yet fitted with the technology.

Solar panels
Solar panels are a hefty upfront investment so buying a house with them already installed is a bonus for those buyers seeking an efficient home capable of generating its own energy. If the panels are new technology, show significant savings and are aesthetically acceptable, they may very well boost the value of a property. However, be wary of getting roped into a contract for panels that comes with the sale of a house. An agreement that ties prospective owners into old technology is onerous and could well affect the value of a property in a negative way.

 A smart security alarm
With safety top of mind for South African homebuyers, a smart security system can add significantly to the attraction of a potential home. These systems allow homeowners to arm, disarm, configure and control their system from their Smartphone or tablet using a simple app. They then receive email alerts, push notifications or even a text when the alarm is triggered. Many smart home alarm kits can also be extended to include additional accessories, such as a power switch to remotely turn on or off home appliances, a PIR camera to view images of the inside of your home, or a smart lock to remotely gain access to the property. It is essential to question the seller or estate agent on the security system installed in the house – a smart system is top of the security range and definitely a great add-on for prospective buyers.

 Sensor technology
Property damage, including theft, accounts for 97% of all home insurance claims. Smart home sensors are more than just a luxury, enabling you to close the shutters without getting out of bed. They can significantly protect a home and its occupants. The sensor technologies most coveted by homebuyers include fire and carbon monoxide detectors, leak and moisture sensors, motion sensors, and a Wi-Fi connected smart garage door. Door and window sensors that let you know when people are entering and leaving your home, and can even turn lights on and off as doors are opened and closed, are also highly sought after as a first line of defence.

 A smart thermostat
Not only are smart thermostats cool, but they’ll also help you save money by monitoring the temperature and humidity inside and outside your new home. A smart thermostat gives you control over the heating and cooling in your home – from any location. When you are in and out of your house, its temperature also changes and a smart thermostat can adjust this based on your behaviour and room usage. The best thermostats adjust the temperature on a room-by-room basis, allowing you to maintain your ideal temperature when you are in the room and default to an energy-saving mode when you leave it. Applying cognitive technology to these sensors is paving the way for a home that thinks and knows you and your temperature preferences.

We hope these tips/information was helpful enough to help you in finding your dream home.  Please come have a look at our website as we might have the perfect home for you. Sourcemarts property.