House hunting can be incredibly fun but also so stressful! Especially when you are trying to find a balance between your dream home and budget. We at Prosper and Dwell are all about quality - and finding quality details in a home will not only help you find a solid home to buy but also give you a great starting point to develop the home to your own personal style. If you aren't currently house hunting, this might even give you some inspiration to highlight original details in your own home!

1. The Systems

First things first, the systems--mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structure-- should be in good condition. Repairing these vital elements of the home are some of the more costly items to repair. When you are looking around the home some tell tale signs of structural distress include warping or sagging, or even cracking. There is the option to remediate these concerns, but it will take an engineer to figure out what is causing the issue and probably a contractor to mitigate and repair. As for the electrical, mechanical plumbing, look out for wall/ceiling discoloration or rust. Often times the system will need to be updated and installed by a professional. Overall, you want the major systems in your home to be functional and solid. It gives a good base for the rest of the home to function and operate efficiently.

2. The Materials

Once the systems are in working order, look for quality exterior materials like wood, stone, or brick. Not only are these materials beautiful but they are incredibly durable. A coherent material pallet and a clear hierarchy are the cornerstone of good design. The more materials does not mean the better--less is more, more often than not! As for the interior space, substantial molding, hardwood floors, solid wood doors -- you can feel the quality when you are in a space. Again, not only are these elements beautiful, but they are durable and solid wood doors help with sound transmission.

3. Connection to the Outdoors

The connection with the outdoor spaces is a huge tell tale sign of a well-built house. There may not have been much latitude with the orientation of the home, but the placement of windows dramatically impacts the quality of light that comes into your home. North light is the softest, most delicate light - where as southern exposure is brighter and lasts longer throughout the day. East and west light is direct in the morning and then in the evening. With proper window and door placement, the house will fill with natural light - and well place windows offer great views of your outdoor spaces.

4. Scale and Layout

When you walk into a home, and it feels comfortable - that is a sign that the scale is right. Whether you recognize why you have the feeling or not - a room with ceilings that are too tall or wide rooms with dead space don’t feel the same as well proportioned and well utilized spaces. Alongside the scale of the rooms, the floor plan plays an important roll in the overall functionality of the space. Recognizing the hidden potential in wasted or dead space can help the overall flow of the home; however, moving a structural column or wall could pose more of an involved renovation process. Finding a balance between what works well and what needs improvement is the charge of every homeowner. Make sure to keep an eye out for the opportunities while being realistic about changes.

By being able to recognize a home’s potential and looking past outdated wall coverings, faucets, lighting fixtures and other cosmetic repairs, you have a wonderful opportunity not only to purchase a quality home but a solid base to start making the home truly yours. Often times, with a solid foundation and strategic cosmetic updates, there is opportunity to add equity to your home as well. Whether you decide to keep the original character with a light renovation or you decide to take it back to the studs -  recognizing these four elements give you a great base to start.

Photo Credit

2). Anthropologie

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