If you are moving across town, chances are that you know the neighborhood that you are looking in and you are familiar with the surrounding neighborhoods. But, if you are coming from out of town, you won't know that perhaps there is an industrial area just a few streets over. Information like this should not go unnoticed, so below is a check list of items to consider as you are house hunting.
Outside you new Jupiter homes:
• Take notice of the area around the house. Are there any airports, bus stations, buildings like convention centers that attract traffic and parking?
• Ask if there is a home association, do they meet on a regular basis, and are the dues acceptable to you? The fact that there is an association and that they hold meetings will tell you that the houses are more of a community. It also lets you know that they typically take better care of their property and look out for the children in the neighborhood. Talk to the neighbors and see what comments they have – positive or negative.
• Visit your prospective house at different times of the day to notice any changes in the surroundings, as well as the house itself.
• If the landscape looks too good to be true, it probably is. A well manicured lawn takes lots of water and continual upkeep. Be aware that this would affect your budget.
• Same goes for a pool, which looks so inviting in the summer, but requires year-round care.
Things to notice inside the home:
• How is the structure? Is it solid if you jump on the floors?
• Notice the heating and air conditioning, the ducts in all the rooms, and ask the owners if they have three electric bills that you could see.
• Is the roof new and in good shape? Check the direction of the gutters. They should direct water away from the house, not into the basement.
• Check in the attic and other strategic places for signs of bugs, wood eating bugs and rodents. They typically get into small places.
• Check to see if insulation meets requirements: R-19 - 6 inches of fiberglass is the minimum in moderate climates and up to R-38 - 12 inches of fiberglass in colder climates. If these requirements are not met, your electric bill could be double or triple what it should be.
