When inspecting a property that you are interested in potentially purchasing, it is not uncommon to focus on prominent aspects such as room size, aesthetic style, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and layout.
While these are important and will certainly influence your initial impressions of a property and whether it is suitable for your requirements, there are also a variety of smaller factors that are often overlooked. Although not as obvious, these can affect your day to day activities at home and may require a little bit of preparation to ensure a comfortable move.
For example, I have heard of numerous cases where people who have moved into new homes are confronted with issues such as power points that are located in inconvenient areas, disrupting the planned positioning of furniture and requiring the purchase of extension cords, or kitchens that don't give aspiring chefs enough bench space to prepare decadent meals.
While certainly not deal breakers, elements such as these are still important and can impact your enjoyment in your new home or may just require extra preparation when moving. As such, you may like to consider the following aspects when inspecting a property of interest:
The number and location of power points;
The size of designated storage spaces – e.g. linen and kitchen cupboards:
The location of telephone and television connections;
The amount of bench and preparation space in the kitchen;
Functionality of doors, cupboards, windows;
The area's reception (for televisions, radios, etc);
The amount of light that enters a property at various points of the day;
Loading docks and service lift access in apartment buildings.
At the end of the day, many of the above issues (and others that arise) can be rectified easily and are unlikely to dissuade you from buying your ideal property. However by knowing what to look out for, you will be better positioned to plan and prepare for your move, avoiding potentially frustrating situations.
For more information about important elements to look out for in a property of interest, please feel free to ask your local Century 21 real estate agent.