Buying a house is both exciting and stressful. You don't want to overlook anything important when you're viewing properties, but you also shouldn't allow the small details to stress you out. After all, house shopping is supposed to be fun. So, before you start looking at real estate listings and available properties, learn what features you should always inspect before you buy a house.

Inspect the Roof

It's common for people to be so focused on the inside of the house that they completely forget to glance up at the roof. However, roof repairs can be costly, so it's important for you to obtain as many details about the roof as possible. The first time you look at the home:

• Ask your realtor how old the roof is.
• Look for cracked or missing shingles.
• Inspect the gutters and downspouts for crumbling or sagging.

If you decide that you're interested in purchasing the home, have a professional roofer inspect the roof before you seal the deal. This way, you're sure that the roof is in decent shape.

Look for Plumbing Problems

A house's plumbing system isn't typically visible, but there are several other things you can look for that could indicate the house has a plumbing issue, including:

• Sagging floors
• Mildew
• Water stains

You should also run the water in all of the sinks, bathtubs, and showers in the home to make sure that they drain well and have decent water pressure. Also, you need to flush the toilets in the home to ensure they are in working order and talk to the realtor about the age, condition, and location of the hot water heater.

Pay Attention to the Way the House Smells

You don't want to overlook the way a house smells, even if the house looks like it's in great shape. Sometimes a house's sewage system becomes clogged or blocked by tree roots causing the house to have a faint sewage or dirt smell. This is a huge warning sign, but there are also other smells you should try to identify before you purchase a house, including:

• Mildew
• Cigarette smoke
• Pet odors

It's easy to overlook things that aren't in plain site when you're touring a house. However, by taking the time to inspect the roof and plumbing, as well as look for odd odors, you should be able to determine whether or not the house is one that you want to purchase.

For professional real estate services, contact a company such as The Lion Team.

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