Kitchen Checklist When Purchasing a Pre-Owned Home
If you’re searching for a new place to live, the idea of moving into a pre-owned home and taking advantage of a previous owner putting all of the expensive and up-front costs into it for you can be fairly exciting. Well, before you get too excited about their fabulous kitchen appliances and beautiful remodeling job, remember there are some important things to consider. Since the kitchen is by far the room with the highest return on investment (ROI) in the house, it’s important to have a checklist to consider when looking at pre-owned homes’ kitchens. Keep these factors in mind before you envision yourself making fabulous culinary creations in your new kitchen!
Ask the previous owners about the history of the kitchen:
Many homebuyers get entranced in the beauty of a new kitchen-remodeling project when hunting for a pre-owned home and forget to ask about the history of the kitchen. If possible ask the previous owners or the real estate professional selling the home why the kitchen was updated.
Questions to ask:
Were there any plumbing issues, such as leaks at the kitchen sink or where the dishwasher drainage pipe is located?
Ask if there was a kitchen fire, or any type of damage that could affect the structural integrity of the flooring, walls, and ceiling around the kitchen. If the home is an older home most likely the homeowners wanted to update the finishes and appliances for buyer appeal, but you never know, so be sure to ask.
Find out about the age of the appliances:
Kitchen appliances are the second most expensive component of a kitchen after cabinetry to replace in a kitchen. Look around at the appliances one-by-one and do a visual inspection of your own. Open up all appliances and test to see if they’re in good working condition. Ask the home sellers if you can turn on the oven/stove and other appliances if you need to.
Questions to ask:
How old are the appliances and where were they purchased?
Do the owners have the receipts and warranties for the appliances?
If they’re not the original owners, ask if extended warranties are in place and if they have the paperwork to renew the policies.
Ask if the owner has user manuals for all of the appliances. (If a washer/dryer is being included with the home – use these same tips.)
Check the integrity of the kitchen cabinetry:
Kitchen cabinets are the most expensive amenity of the kitchen. Usually made of solid wood or similar pre-engineered wood components, they are an amenity that many homebuyers neglect to get information about.
Questions to ask:
Is the cabinetry original to the home or has it been replaced?
Has the cabinetry been refaced with a laminate or are they original?
Has there been any damage to any of the cabinetry and are all the door swings, shelving, etc. in good working order?
Ask if they know the cabinetry manufacturer or the builder who designed the home in case you need replacement doors, components, etc.
Ask about finishes and materials throughout the entire kitchen:
After you have looked at the appliances and cabinetry, look at the countertops, flooring and other finishes like backsplash for wear and tear. Many home sellers try and cover up a small issue with beautiful finishes and hide potential problems. Ask your real estate professional to ask about the history of the kitchen finishes if you aren’t able to get clear answers from the home sellers.
As you go through your home search for the perfect pre-owned home, keep these kitchen checklist items in mind. The advantage of a pre-owned home is the buyer hopefully has invested a lot in upgrading and making this kitchen gorgeous and functional. Don’t be afraid to ask some back history about your “dream kitchen” before you move in!