Buying a home can be super exciting and stressful at the same time, that’s why it is important to know what to look for before you start searching!

Make sure you are financially prepared for now and later

For most people, their home is the largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. This is why it is important to be financially prepared to pay for the home and maintain it. Also, as your home ages your insurance premium typically increases. The older the home, plumbing, roof, and electrical the higher risk for the insurance company therefor the higher premium.

Inspect the home like you are a mother in law (No offense to mother in laws, I LOVE mine!)

Check the roof; look for any signs of leaks, cracking, missing shingles, or rolling shingles. All of these are signs that you will have to put on a new roof and may have a hard time finding an insurance company to accept the risk. The rule of thumb here is the newer the roof the better. If your roof was installed after 2002, you will likely be getting a better insurance rate too!

Find out when the plumbing was installed or replaced and what kind of plumbing. Check for water damage or mold throughout the home. Check under the sinks, in the showers, around the bath tubs, and baseboards. Mold damage could be harmful and also mean there are bigger problems.

Also, be sure to check that everything is in working condition in the home. Turn on all of the appliances, all of the water sources, you can even bring a phone charger with you and check all of the outlets! Make sure that the electrical is up to date with circuit breakers and no aluminum wiring. Don’t forget to check the air conditioner and heaters as well (even if we only need to use the heat twice a year in Florida!).

Lastly, check the exterior of the home. If the home is concrete, are there any cracks? If the home is wood frame, is there any wood rot? Also, check the yard and driveway for signs of ground movement or sinkhole formation.

Have your home inspected and bring the results to Wren!

Always get an inspection when buying a home - an inspector will find things you are not trained to notice. Once your inspection is complete, bring us your Wind Mitigation and 4 Point Inspections. We will do the work from there. We compare rates with over 20 different reputable companies and always strive to offer the best rate with the best coverage to fit your needs. Be sure to tell your agent if you live in a gated community or have any monitored alarms as those will get you discounts!

Contact us today if you have any questions as we are happy to help you along the way!