Buying a new house can either be the best or the worst time of your life. There are a few times where it is somewhere in between, but for the most part, the bad houses are hidden behind layers of temporary fixes.

Many states have fairly strict rules when it comes to selling a house with faults, particularly when those are not adequately declared before the sale, but the problem there is that it can be hard to prove. The best plan is to avoid this kind of situation altogether.

Below are five of the best-kept secrets for buying a new house these days, so take the time to read them and make some notes if you need to:

1. Check for Leaks
When viewing a new house to buy - ask the real estate agent to switch off all water usage. Once that is complete, check the water meter – if it is still ticking over, then that house has some leaky issues.

Early detection of a water leak is necessary to avoid a massive problem down the line. Water leaks can be expensive and time-consuming.

2. Get Pre-Approved For a Loan
Pre-approved buyers are golden in the world of real estate. There is just something about a serious buyer taking things to the next level, and it can often increase your chances of seeing higher value homes before they go on the market.

Many estate agents and sellers will be more inclined to negotiate on price with a pre-approved buyer, so get yourself ticked so you can get the best deals.

3. Home Warranty Plans
When you’re in the market for a house, some areas get overlooked – despite their importance. Look into getting an American Home Shield Home Warranty, these plans can be an absolute life-saver in your time of need.

Having insurance on your house isn’t just about the building - your life is inside those walls – so do your best to protect both!

4. Choose the Right Size Home
Buying a house is a big decision, so you need to ensure that you purchase the one that is correct for you and your family. Many new buyers get tempted to buy a house that is bigger because they think that means better.

That is not the case - not many people would be happy rattling around in a house that is way too big for them. Bigger houses can lead to higher maintenance costs, and they are often a nightmare to keep clean.


5. Don’t Be Emotional
Buying a house needs to be a rational and logical decision. Try to not let your emotions get in the way of making your decision. Many new buyers allow themselves to get carried away during the process of house hunting and lose sight of what they need and, more importantly, what they can afford.

Don’t break your budget over feelings; there will be many houses to fall in love with – including the house that is perfect for your pocket.