Here are some ‘signs of gold’ to watch for when you are out and about shopping for your new home.
A well-maintained house with an architectural style that fits the surrounding neighbourhood is always a safe investment. If you decide to sell in the future, such a home will maintain its value well.
A professional inspector’s report will list any deficiencies that were found by the inspector. A homeowner who provides such a report clearly has nothing to hide.
A shallow ditch channelling water away from the house, rather than towards the foundation, or a below-ground drainage system, are signs of a well-designed landscape.
A shady yard planted with shade-loving plants and groundcover is much easier to care for than turf grass on a terrain that is unsuitable for it. An irrigation system saves much yard-care time.
A newer retaining wall built with interlocking concrete blocks, with seepage holes to allow for water drainage, is a good sign.
A newer deck with posts of pressure-treated lumber on concrete foundations will provide many years of good support.
Shiny metal flashings and vents indicate that the roof was recently reroofed and will give decades of good service. Drip edges should be present to prevent water damage to fascia.
Seamless gutters installed by a contractor have a good life expectancy and are better than vinyl gutter systems. Downspouts should have runoff pipes to carry water well away from the building.
A stucco surface in good shape is trouble-free.
A professionally finished attic or basement creates a lot of value in the home and maximizes the use of space, if it’s well-designed.
A large, open kitchen with access to the dining room, family room and the outside is convenient, flexible and accessible.
A high-efficiency furnace with a multi-speed fan can save many hundreds of dollars in heating costs. Multi-element filters improve air quality.
An air-to-air exchanger is an excellent ventilation system, removing stale air and taking in fresh outside air without losing heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.
An amply-sized service panel with open circuit breaker slots for expansion, and a clearly legible index, demonstrates a competent installation.
Access panels that provide easy access to the connections for all plumbing fixtures in a bathroom will make future repairs much easier and less expensive.
A drain system made entirely of PVC plastic is one that will give years of trouble-free service.
A hot water heater with a recirculating pump delivers hot water to faucets when they are turned on, so the water doesn’t have to run until it becomes hot.
A well-installed ceramic tile floor is an elegant, durable surface of a higher-quality than any other floor covering in a kitchen or bathroom.
Hardwood floors lying under a carpet hold great potential.
A neatly organized workshop with all the typical maintenance products suggest that the owner has been diligent in the upkeep of the home.
Receipts and warranty information for the appliances indicate that they have probably been kept in good working order. A complete file of this information is an asset for any buyer.
A good quality water filtration system removes impurities from potable water. If a water test indicates more serious pollutants than odours or cloudiness, a reverse-osmosis filter is advisable.
Keep a sharp eye out for ‘signs of gold’ when considering your home purchase.
Tammy Dufault
Century 21 BJ Roth Realty Ltd.
