Albuquerque Home Buyers – Four Step Check List

Albuquerque Home Buyers Checklist

Albuquerque home buyers need to have the impersonal approach of an investor and get beyond the welcoming feeling of the fireplace, great views, or captivating family room when viewing Albuquerque homes.

Albuquerque home buyers know their new home may be their castle for the next five to twenty five years and want safe and secure operations of the major systems for their family, not a money pit that soaks up their savings.  Albuquerque home buyers can quickly check several areas to get an idea on the health of Albuquerque homes before you getting a home inspection report.

Below is a simple four step check list for all Albuquerque home buyers.  Check the electrical wiring, the heating ventilating air conditions system (HVAC), the plumbing, and the landscape near the house can give you a general idea if repairs will be needed or if there are potential problems with this house.  Of course, this check list for Albuquerque home buyers is not a replacement for an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

Albuquerque Home Buyers 4 Step Checklist

1. The electrical is difficult to inspect since most of it is hidden behind the drywall.  The most visible areas to check the electrical system are the exposed wiring in the attic and basement (if there is one), and the fuse box or breaker panel.  Looking to see if the wiring is run neatly, run through joists and not just stapled on the outside of exposed beams can give you an idea of how well the wiring was run in the walls.  Also, while in the attic, it’s good to see if there are signs of water leakage and check for insulation.  For older Albuquerque homes with fuse panels, check if they have a good store of fuses lying around, it may be signs the circuit are regularly overloaded and the house has outgrown the power limits of its fuse panel.  Most Albuquerque homes today need at least a 100 amp electrical service, you may need to inquire about upgrading the electrical service if is less than 100 amps.  For older homes, check the service panel or on a switch to determine if the house has aluminum wiring.  Turn the power off before checking these areas to avoid electrocution.
2. Check the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning by turning on the air conditioner and the heater and smell the air from the vent.  Caution, you should not turn on refrigerated air conditioners if the temperature has been below 65 degrees for more than 24 hours.  Make sure there is insulation in the attic and exterior walls, this is not necessarily a given.  Older Albuquerque homes were built when fuels to heat your home were inexpensive and may not be insulated well enough. It is important to understand your heating and cooling costs when purchasing a new home.
3. Two good areas to check for water damage in the house are the plumbing and the windows.  A good area to check the plumbing is under the sinks, under the dishwasher, around bath tubs and showers.  Look for signs of leaks and any resulting mold damage from the moisture build-up.  If the home is a multi-story home, make a mental note of where the bathrooms are and check the ceiling on the floor below for signs of leaks or recent repairs.  Also, check the walls and flooring in rooms adjacent to bathrooms and the kitchen to look for water damage.
4. Finally walk around the house and check the landscape and topography.  Make sure the land slopes away from the house for at least the first three to four feet.  If the land does not slope properly rain and snow melt will be directed toward the foundation and lead to water infiltration through the foundation creating at best dampness and at worst flooding.  Since rain is so infrequent in New Mexico, some home builders and home owners do not take adequate steps to properly grade the topography around the house and one heavy rain may be enough to have the homeowner mopping up water.  Make sure the trees and shrubs are all positioned away from the house so their root systems do not crack the foundations or cause other problems with the eaves or sewer lines.  Testing windows and doors for smooth operation can indicate whether there has been shifting in the foundation.  Foundation problems come for various reasons including root invasion, soil changes, earthquakes, and improper back fill methods.

These guidelines can help Albuquerque home buyers improve their observation skills when evaluating properties and quickly eliminate Albuquerque homes that obviously need more work they you wish to invest in.  A staged home is set to trigger your buying instincts, so keep an impersonal investor outlook to keep your emotions in check and not impede your ability to see potential problems with buying the house.

If the home passes your cursory check, you may be on to an excellent investment. Make sure it has the enjoyable features you desire in a home.  Finally, rely on the professional home inspection for a more detailed inspection of the home.