Why a Rainy Day Is the Perfect Day to Find a Home (and What to Look Out for While You’re There)
Buying a home in the current market requires every competitive edge, and when you’re vying for it with other potential buyers, there doesn’t seem to be a moment to lose. This means attending open houses and rain or sun shows.
Of course, bad weather complicates things a little, including finding a house. But if you’re ready to head out to house openings and shows during a storm, you might find out more about your potential purchase than on a sunny day, according to Apartment Therapy .
That’s why you should look for a house in the rain and what to look for when you do.
Benefits of Finding a Home on a Rainy Day
First, house hunting during a rainstorm can give you an edge over more weather-friendly buyers. Not everyone is ready to drive around town during a rainstorm to view house after house, and you may find that open houses are less crowded or showings are less complicated.
Another plus: you can see how the house and property withstand moisture. Floods the yard? Do the gutters drain well? Are there major maintenance issues that may not be noticeable in dry weather?
What to look for in rainy weather
Heavy rain can cause all sorts of problems that are expensive to fix, so here are a few issues to watch out for :
- Leaky Roof: Roof leaks can indicate age or poor installation, but either way it’s a problem you’ll want to look for as it’s likely to be costly to fix. If the home has an attic, look for dark wood stains, active dripping, and wet insulation.
- Clogged or leaking gutters and downpipes. Gutters must be clear of debris, free of leaks, and must direct water away from the home.
- Leaks from doors, windows, underfloor and basement: Check window sills and doorways for moisture, which may indicate poor sealing. If the house has a basement, pay attention to the presence of moisture or water accumulation.
- Water stains and mildew smell. Stains on the ceiling and walls, as well as moldy smells, can indicate water problems.
- Property drainage: Look for flooding in the yard, as well as how water flows to or from garages and patios. This may be especially evident if there are bodies of water nearby or in a low-lying or coastal area.
- Flooding of streets and quarters: does the fast water flow correctly? Do water bodies rise in the vicinity during a storm?
Of course, these concerns don’t necessarily have to keep you from offering your dream home. Many of these problems will be identified during the inspection of the home and you will be able to arrange repairs with the seller. But knowing about water problems in advance, you can decide whether and how to move forward.