Check These Major Appliances Before Buying Your Next Home
Congratulations, you’ve found a house that you love! But, before you buy your new dream home, there are some crucial appliances that should be checked for faults.
Here are the top 4 appliances you should have checked before buying your next home. At the end of the day, you’ll be glad that you did your due diligence.
1. Refrigerator
The fridge is an expensive appliance to replace, and it’s one of the first appliances you should check. Look for the following:
- Are the fridge and freezer cooling properly?
- Is there any rusting on the inside, indicating a moisture problem?
- Are the seals and gaskets in good condition and do they seal properly? This link offers a good tutorial on how to check for leaks and tears.
2. Range
It doesn’t matter if the range is gas or electric, it still needs a review. The main question you want to answer is: Do the burners, the oven and the broiler all heat? A gas range might include more complications and safety concerns, but every detail counts, down to sure the oven timer works.
And while you’re at it, don’t neglect the seals of the oven. Similar to the fridge, it’s important to make sure that the oven seals properly.
3. Dishwasher
The dishwasher is another pricey appliance that should be checked. It also takes the longest to check, so you should start a test run as soon as you enter the home. When you open the door see how the door operates – it shouldn’t drop quickly, or else there could be a problem with the door’s spring. Similar to the fridge, you should also keep an eye out for any rust or corrosion.
When doing a test cycle to make sure that the dishwasher works, you mainly want to look out for water leaks under the floor and underneath the sink. You should also test the heating element, so choose a wash cycle that includes heating. Once the cycle is over, a stream of steam should come out of the dishwater. Once the door is open, check that the unit is free of extra water. If there’s water left, the pump is likely malfunctioning.
4. Washer and Dryer
The next major home appliance to inspect are the washer and dryer, if the home is being sold with these units. Do a test run of these appliances to ensure that they function.
With the dryer, you’re most concerned about potential fire hazards. Is there an excess of lint in the machine? When it’s running, poke your head outside to check that the exhaust fan works properly.
Are appliances checked in a home inspection?
While home inspections will cover major systems like the air conditioner and furnace, the same can’t be said of appliances like the refrigerator and dishwasher. Some inspectors may do a quick review, but it’s certainly not a standard practice. If your inspector does inspect the home’s appliances they will likely focus on the major kitchen appliances. However, all inspectors should check a laundry room’s electrical and plumbing connections.
While you do your own inspection of appliances keep in mind that it’s essentially impossible to determine how much life an appliance has left. You can look for major issues, but remember that repairs are always a possibility, which is one of the many reasons a Systems and Appliances Service Agreement is so useful and can save so much money in the long run.
Have you ever purchased a home with problematic appliances? Share your experiences in the comments, and let’s all learn more about smart home buying together!
