When searching for the right home to buy for you and your family, there are many styles of homes with their own unique features, systems, and benefits. Whether you are looking to buy your first starter home or an upscale luxury home, there are some questions you need to ask before you make the final decision. Here are some tips to consider and talk to your realtor about regarding a home's heating, cooling, and sewage as you are searching for your next home to buy.

Heating and Cooling System

While you tour through a home, take notice of the type of heating system the home has, as it can affect the comfort of your home and the cost of your utilities. Does the home have a HVAC system with ventilation ducts, baseboard heating, or radiant heating. Baseboard heating can cost a bit more in electrical costs to heat your home, and forced air heating can be less efficient and creates drafts. If you dislike having dust and dirt blown through your home with forced air heating, you may want to steer clear of homes with this feature. You may want to focus on homes with radiator-style heating or heating within the floor.

Air conditioning systems affect the comfort level of your home as well. Some homes are equipped with central cooling, or no installed cooling so you need to install window air conditioners. Window air conditioners can detract from your home's appearance and affect its cooling efficiency, especially if the home is larger in size.

If you have interest in a home that does not have your choice of heating or cooling, talk to your realtor and consider the costs of upgrading a home's heating and cooling and include an allowance for these upgrades in your offer to purchase a home.

Sewage Systems

The two main types of sewage available for most modern homes today consists of a septic system or connection to city sewer. The home's listing information should include details about the home's sewage system, or you can ask your realtor to find this information out for you.

City sewer connection to a home you are considering purchasing will make a home's waste elimination virtually maintenance free, unless you clog up your line or the sewer pipe deteriorates and fails. If a home is not connected to local sewer line, it should have its own septic system, which includes a waste collection tank and a drainage system buried beneath the soil of the property.

If you are looking at buying a home which has its own septic system, you will need to consider in the costs and time associated with taking care of the septic, as it needs to be emptied and maintained every year or so, depending on how much waste your household creates. Talk to the seller's real estate agent about the size of a septic system and how frequently they maintain it. This will give you a good idea of what will be required of you if you buy the home.

To learn more about luxury single family homes, talk with your real estate agent. 

Share