I know everyone has a list of things to look for in a house that they are going to buy. This list focuses on these things that might not be a priority for most people but can be a good plus. These things are not present in the majority of homes in the housing market in metro Atlanta. Buying a house is not a small thing. It would not be very smart to make such a large purchase without taking the time to sit down and make a list of things to look for in a house you will live in for many years.
1.A basement.
It takes $30-$50,000 to add a basement to a new house. For those of us who need a lot of space to keep things, a basement is a must. In some areas of the country every home has a basement but in metro Atlanta that is not the case.
A fully finished basement is not easy to find in this region. Finding a home with a business is definitely a plus. According to Costhelper.com ,adding a basement to a pre-existing home can be as high as $70,000.
2.Four sides brick sidings
We all know that brick homes are more expensive. In metro Atlanta, a completely brick home is hard to find. Many builders build front brick homes. and three side brick homes. If you are planning on buying an older home, I would advise you to get a four side brick. Brick siding is perceived to have more value. According to Costowl.com ,a 1500 square foot home all brick can cost upwards of $22,000.
3.Large and flat yards
when you have children your yard is very important. I have been in many nice homes with very bad landscape. Getting a large yard on flat surface that is not a flood zone is in fact a good combination to find in a home. I believe a house with a small yard will take longer to sell. I have also seen many homes with sloped yard take a long time to sell.
4.Attic space
It’s nice to discover the home you are viewing has a nice attic space that was not mentioned in the listing. The best attic spaces I have seen are accessible through a regular staircase. They are high enough for a tall person to stand up with their head not hitting the ceiling. These are not finished space but are very good for storage.
5.A rental studio
I once went to see a Home in Mountain Park, Gwinnett County. The house was advertised as a single family house. When we got there we discover the house had a small studio with its own exit door at the side of the house. At the time, a Medical student was renting the studio. I have never seen anything like it before. What was amazing is that it was a fairly expensive block where you would not expect to see something like that. I love the idea of getting help to cover your mortgage so to me that was a plus.
6.A yard house
When you are buying a house for a very handy seller who had a lot of times on his hand you might be surprised of what you find. I once seen a detached garage that was turned into a very nice office space. The garage was heated and with complete electrical installation. For many people, this might not have any value, but for someone who have a need to a space like this it can be a big plus.
7.An extra side lot
This was more common in the past. These days people with a home with an extra lot on the side would sell the lot separately. I once view a home in Hudson North Carolina with an extra lot on the side.
8.Sound system
Some people love to play loud music at home, specially in the weekend. I once show a home with an expensive sound system that the seller was not going to remove. These systems cost thousands to put in place. That home had a very large living room. It looks like the family used to enjoy watching movies together. Some folks would very happy to find that in a home.
9.Old paintings
I once read that someone find an expensive painting in a home that he sold for thousands of dollars. When I bought my first home in 2006 I look in all the junk the seller left behind for old paintings unfortunately i was not that lucky.
10.Jewelry
Diamond rings can easily fall in small cracks in the home. After you buy a home, if you have to replace the floor, keep your eyes open.
In conclusion
This is a short list of the good things you can find in a home. Some of them are nice surprises. Many of them might delight you depending on your interest. This list can grow very long. If you want to add anything to make this list better, please leave a comment in the comment section below.