{This is a guest post.}

House hunting with a real estate agent is a lot like dating. It is rarely a straightforward process, it is fraught with a lot of hoops to jump through and it requires a lot of vulnerability. But when it works out, like finding the love of your life, there’s just nothing better than that feeling. To get that feeling faster, make sure your prospective home has been well taken care of. If you are still looking for your new home then check out these new real estate listings.

Here are some things to be on the lookout for:

Look at the Air Filters

Locate the air return and look over the air filters to see if they’ve been changed recently. Don’t worry about removing the filter and thoroughly inspecting it. You should be able to tell if the filter has been changed recently when looking at it through the air return grating. You can even hire heating contractors so you have a professional opinion about the HVAC system of the house.

This is often one of the most-overlooked maintenance tasks even though it’s simple and easy to do. For optimal performance of heating and cooling systems, the air filters should be changed every one to three months, says Service Experts. If the homeowner is shirking this duty, chances are high that they’ve been overlooking plenty of other aspects of home maintenance.

Consider Energy Efficiency

Look for the Energy Star labels on the appliances. If not there, the appliances are likely outdated and will probably need to be replaced sooner rather than later, especially if you’re concerned about energy usage at home.

In addition, consider how much sun the most-used rooms in the home receive and check the windows for age and wear. While a lot of natural light is a major plus for some buyers, it also means those rooms may heat up faster. You may want to consider the cost of adding solar blinds or window treatments and new windows when making your initial offer if the windows need to be replaced.

Check the Roof

Yоur rооf рrоvіdеѕ you with dеfеnѕе against wіnd, rain, ѕnоw, hail and heat. Evеrу day уоur rооf іѕ exposed tо wеаthеr hаzаrdѕ аnd other еlеmеntѕ, аll оf which contribute tо its dаmаgе аnd deterioration, that´s why it´s important to maintain it in a good condition. You could contact these residential roofers for any assistance you may need.

If the gutters are stuffed full of leaves, you can bet that the homeowner hasn’t cleaned them in quite some time. If so, they’ve probably neglected other exterior maintenance issues like replacing missing shingles on the roof with the help of roofing contractors of Yonkers NY, or cleaning the siding. Furthermore, dirty gutters can lead to water leaks or sagging gutters. If this has already occurred, be sure to repair or replace them as fast as you do the leaky faucet and sink repair.

Notice Any Smells

Whether you note a distinct funk upon entry, or the house reeks of air freshener and scented candles, beware because these may be signs of a bigger problem. Here are some smells to be on the lookout for as well as how they can be combated:

• Smoke: Yes, some people still smoke cigarettes in their homes. The smell penetrates the carpeting and walls, and it can take a lot of cleaning and time to fully dissipate. It’s best to replace any carpeting and wallpaper, and apply a fresh coat of paint throughout to help get rid of the stench.
• Sewage: This can be a sign of a clog in the main line of the house or damage from tree roots disrupting the sewage line. It can be a costly repair, so be sure to have the issue evaluated by a professional before making an offer.
• Must: This odor is a sign that moisture is getting into the house, and it could be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This can be a very costly repair, so make sure to have the house inspected.