Why a rainy day is the best day for house hunt (and what to look for while you’re there)

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Buying a home in the current market requires every competitive advantage, and when you’re fighting other future buyers, there seems to be no moment to waste. That means attending an open house and showing rain and shine.

Of course, bad weather makes everything a little harder, including finding a home. But if you’re willing to open or show your home during a storm, you’ll know more about your potential purchases than on a sunny day. According to apartment therapy..

Here’s why you should go looking for a house in the rain and what to look for when you do so.

Benefits of finding a home on a rainy day

First, finding a home during a storm may set foot on a clearer buyer. Not everyone is willing to drive through the town to see homes one after another during the downpour.

Another advantage is that you can see how your home or property will last when it’s wet. Is the garden flooded? Are the gutters drained properly? Are there any major maintenance issues that may not be visible in dry weather and must be managed?

What to look for in the rain

Heavy rains can cause all sorts of problems that are expensive to fix, Here are some issues to look for:

• Leaky roof: Roof leaks can indicate aging or poor installation, but in any case, this is a problem you’ll want to find. It costs money to fix.If your house has an attic, look for a dark spot in the woodsActive dripping, and wet insulation.
• Clogged or leaked gutters or downspouts: Gutters should be free of debris, leak-free, and keep water away from the house.
• Doors, windows, crawl spaces, basement leaks: Check for wet windows and doorways. This may indicate an inadequate seal. If your house has a basement, look for moisture and pool water.
• Water stains and mold odor: Dirt on the ceiling and walls and the smell of mold may indicate a water problem.
• Property drainage: Look for floods in the garden and how water flows towards or from the garage or patio. This can be especially noticeable if there are water features near the property, or if it is in lowlands or coastal areas.
• Floods on the street and in the neighborhood: Is the water in a hurry drained properly? Will the water characteristics of the surrounding area rise during the storm?

Of course, these issues should not necessarily discourage you from making an offer to your dream home. Many of these concerns may be identified during a home inspection and you may be able to negotiate a repair with the seller. However, knowing about water issues in advance may help you make decisions about whether to move forward and how to move forward.