How to Make Sure You're Buying the Safest Home Possible.
There are so many things you need to think about when you are choosing your dream home. One of the most important things to consider is safety. Is it safe enough for yourself and your family? Here are a few things to consider when you go house hunting:
1. Neighborhood Safety
You will want to find out how safe the neighborhood is.The last thing you want to do is realize how much crime is in your neighborhood after purchasing a home. Make sure you do your research on the following things :
What is the crime rate?
How often do burglaries and theft occur?
How many sex offenders and registered criminals are in your area?
These questions may seem hard to answer, but there are a lot resources that will help you find the answers you need. The app and website HomeFacts will help you find information like crime rates and the percentage of sex offenders in the area. HomeFacts is also available via Android.
2. Environmental Safety
Environmental safety can get a little tricky. The safety of a homes environment may not always be as apparent to the naked eye, so be sure you don't get fooled. A house can look great on the outside, but the truth is what's behind the walls could harm you. Amongst many other things, two factors you should consider are asbestos and pollution.
Often times we hear about people who have fatal medical problems as a result of living in a home with Asbestos for years without knowing. As a matter of fact, the chances of asbestos being in a home that was built before the year of 1980 are extremely high. Asbestos isn't the only thing that could harm you or your family. It is best that prior to purchasing your home you have an environmental specialist come and check out the property.
Another thing you will want to consider is the amount of pollution that is in the surrounding area of your home. Pollution can affect the health of you and your loved ones. An environmental specialist or website's such as HomeFacts will also be able to provide you with more information about pollution in the area.
3. Natural Disaster Proof
Is your home in an area where earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, or tornadoes occur? Unfortunately, natural disasters like these can't be controlled, but we can control how we prepare for them. You will want to be sure your house has a stable foundation in case these natural disasters do occur. Ask questions such as,"What is the foundation of the home made out of?, or "What are the chances of my home being ruined by a hurricane?"
With the possibility of natural disasters in mind, try to make predictable and preventable decisions. For example, it is probably best not to invest in a home that is within close proximity of a fault line or a high risk landslide area. It's better to be safe than sorry when dealing with natural disasters and the safety of you and your family. You will thank yourself down the road for preparing ahead of time.
Want to know more about home safety? Be sure to leave your questions below in the comments area and we will do our best to answer or guide you to the proper resources.