You have decided to take the plunge and realize the dream of your life and your family: buying your house. Congratulations ! Here are some little tips for making the right purchase, even before applying for a mortgage loan.
Liking the place where you are going to live with your family is fundamental
Choose a place that you like and where you feel good.This little list will help you ask yourself the right questions:
- Quick connections with public transport
- Distance to highway
- Distance from workplace
- Schools nearby
- Shops in the surrounding area
- Sports infrastructures
- Quiet environment
- Noise and odor pollution
Visit the property several times
Consider visiting at different times and if possible with and without sunlight, in order to estimate, for example, the level of noise pollution (neighbors, planes, etc.) and the brightness.
Also bring a friend or family member with you, who will certainly have a more objective eye than yours. If you plan to carry out work, an architect’s assessment will not be superfluous.
Just as if you want to be reassured in your choice, you can always call on an expert, it will cost you around €200 but it is an excellent investment, which can save you from having to buy a house with hidden defects or defects that you had not noticed, or a property whose price is overpriced.
Seven essential points to check
The external environment
It is not trivial to ask yourself if your future purchase is well located. The proximity of public transport, the presence of shops and schools are assets that enhance the property. As well as green spaces and parking facilities if the property does not have them.
Is your accommodation close to your workplace? From the children’s school? Also analyze the neighborhood and the condition of surrounding homes. Listen carefully and check possible sources of noise pollution (trams, buses, businesses, major roads, etc.)
Solidity
How old is the house? Check the condition of the walls, ceilings (cracks, sagging, etc.) and floors (faults in the flatness of the floors may reflect weaknesses in the structure of the building).
Waterproofing and ventilation
The waterproofing of a home is the management of the natural humidity of the air, the soil and the flow of runoff water.Check the ambient condition of the home.
Have the walls been repainted recently? Ask to know why, perhaps the paint is hiding mold or moisture stains. Bad smells, feelings of cold, halos are all signals that should warn you.
Condensation on windows is more of a problem of ventilation and ventilation than of sealing. Find out about the ventilation system and check that the air extraction vents are working properly by placing a thin sheet of paper in front of them. If the leaf is sucked into the mouth, the test is successful.
Brightness
What is the orientation of the property? But also what is the distance between the opposite? Are there trees in front of the windows? In short, so many elements to check before buying.
Acoustic comfort
Often overlooked, checking that there is not too much noise pollution is not a luxury, especially if the building is old.
You want an apartment that is located in a building that is still empty, ask that someone walk, talk, jump in the apartment located above and/or next to yours.
Is the building inhabited? What about the ambient noise from the common areas and other apartments. Visit the premises at different times of the day and remember that noises that may be acceptable during the day can become very annoying at night.
Also check the sound insulation of windows: open a window and close it gently to notice the sound differences.
Electrical installation
To assess the electrical installation, an electrical diagnosis had to be carried out by the previous owner. So ask to check the current state of the circuits. Also request access to the electrical panel, which can prove to be a good indication of the general condition of the electrical installation. Also check the grounding, the number of sockets in the rooms and their condition.
The thermal installation
What type of heating is used? Individual or collective? Ask to check the boiler to judge its age and brand and whether it also heats water. Check the condition of the radiators, their position and their power. Also remember to check the insulation of the walls, roof,
Establish a realistic budget
There can be a big gap between the house of your dreams and the one that suits your budget.Don’t forget that all kinds of costs are added to the sale price such as taxes and notary fees, as well as maintenance costs and unforeseen events. Don’t make the mistake of buying a house that’s priced beyond your means.
Crédit Populaire Européen will be your trusted broker to carry out your project.At Crédit Populaire Européen we have a specialist in mortgage credit(Ms. Jacqueline Legrand – 30 years of experience) whose professionalism and availability has already made many of our clients happy. It is the tailor-made individual approach that is the recognized trademark of Crédit Populaire Européen.
