For many people, buying a house is the most expensive investment they make. It will be your responsibility to make sure everything is in order before you buy a home. A real estate agent, the developer, or the previous homeowner may not be honest about everything regarding the house you plan to purchase from them.

Please do your due diligence to make sure you purchase something worthwhile. In this article, we share with you tips to ensure you have a gratifying home-buying experience.

What to Consider Before Buying a House

There are several things to consider before buying a house, as outlined below:

Your Finances

The first step to buying a home is to get your finances in order. You need to pay off debts, work to save for a down payment, and make smart credit decisions.

Working to pay your debts off will help make your mortgage approval process an easy one. 

Lenders will see you as less credit risk.

Things can be even easier if you can raise a 20% down payment for the house you plan to buy.

Your Credit Score

Your credit score is one of the significant determiners of your loan terms. Understand your credit score before trying to get a loan. Focus on fixing it if it falls below 700.

With a good score, you’ll get a low-interest rate, which can save you thousands of dollars for the duration of the loan.  

Location of The Home

Look for a house in an area that allows easy access to the places you frequent the most. These may include work, school, place of worship, shopping, and recreation.  

Make sure the location offers easy access to the main roads. Checking this out before buying a home can save you from unreasonably long commutes.  

The Size of The House

While it can be very tempting, avoid purchasing a larger space than what you need. A bigger house means more utility bills to pay, more space to maintain, and more things that might go wrong.

Consider the size of your previous house and how much space your possessions require. If the homes available appear bigger than you need, consider buying a townhouse or condominium.

The Expenses Involved

There are many types of fees involved in a home purchase. In addition to the mortgage, there may be insurance, property taxes, association fees, and repair costs. Make sure you have the budget to handle all of these expenses if they apply to your purchase.

Find a Trusted Realtor

Homebuyers tend to avoid Realtors. They believe the commission paid to a Realtor drives up the overall cost of the house.

However, a savvy Realtor can help you get a good deal overall. Choose a Realtor who can protect your interests and guide you through the entire buying process.  

Conclusion

Buying a house can be a daunting process, especially if you are a first-time buyer. It would help if you got several things right. The above tips can help you make a wise decision when it comes to a home purchase. For more information, visit Mojo House and Land. 

All home appliances slowly wear out over years of use and need to be replaced or repaired, but when your water heater breaks down the problem can be much bigger than being surprised by a cold shower. If you don’t invest in regular water heater repair or replace your water heater before it quits working completely, you could have a major leak on your hands and expensive water damage in your home.

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for disaster to strike. Here are 4 ways you can know that it’s time to repair or replace your water heater before the damage is done:

Rattling and Rumbling

When a water heater ages, sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment hardens into a solid mass as it’s heated and reheated, making the water heater less efficient.

If it sounds like a herd of elephants or a drum line is coming through your home every time you turn on the hot water, it’s time to replace your unit. It won’t be long before the hardened sediment begins to create tiny holes and cracks in the tank, leading to leaks and water damage.

Rust, Corrosion, and Water Discoloration

Take a look at your water heater and note any areas of visible rust or corrosion. Specifically, look around the inlet and outlet connections and the temperature and pressure relief valves, as these are places that will show corrosion first.

Similarly, if you notice rusty water coming from your heater, the most likely cause is rust inside the tank. To be sure that the rust is coming from your water heater and not your pipes, empty the water into a gallon bucket. If the water isn’t running clear after two or three buckets, your tank is rusting and needs to be replaced.

Pools of Water Around the Heater

As the metal heats, it expands, which will force water out of any small cracks or fissures in the tank. When the tank cools, the leaking stops, resulting in small pools of water around the water heater but not a full-fledged leak.

To make sure that the water is coming from the heater, check the temperature overflow pipe and all connections and fittings. If these are dry, then the water is coming from the tank and the heater needs to be replaced.

Lukewarm Showers and Dirty Dishes

Maybe you hopped into the shower and couldn’t get the water to your preferred temperature, even after cranking the hot faucet all the way up. Or, maybe you opened your dishwasher to discover the dishes didn’t get the heated rinse they need to get sparkling clean. If your water isn’t getting heated, it’s usually a sign that your heater is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

In addition to these four signs, keep tabs on the age of your water heater. Depending on use, most units last around 10 years. If your unit is over 10 years old and located where a leak could cause significant water damage to your home, it’s best to get it replaced rather than risk further use.

To keep your water heater in proper working order and extend its life, consider regular maintenance checks and scheduled water heater repair. Contact us for more information or to schedule a maintenance check. It could save you thousands!