Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

Today we will talk about finding the perfect home and what you should consider before you rent or buy a house.

In the second part of this show, you will improve your fluency with a mini-story. I will ask you many questions that you need to answer as quickly as possible. It's like having a conversation with another person in English.

Ok, let's start!

Looking for a new home is an important decision, and many people are unprepared for the occasion. But today, I will help you find your perfect home in English.

When you want to buy or rent a house, make sure you try everything. Open and shut the cupboards, flush the toilets, and use a measuring tape.

Here are a few key things to look for on each home tour:

First of all, you will need to consider the location, and the number of floors of the property—also, the size of bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and storage space.

If the house is furnished and includes all electrical appliances, make sure you check out the age and condition of the appliances.

Pay attention to the light switches and the number of sockets in each room, and check the plumbing and water pressure in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Another thing that many people don't take into account is the house's orientation. This will determine the amount of natural light your house gets. For example, facing East, a house is heated in the morning and cooled during the rest of the day. So, make sure you pay attention to this important factor.

Although there are so many things you need to take into account, don't overlook any other vital aspects like the noise levels inside or outside the home. Living in a noisy neighborhood can drastically deteriorate your lifestyle.

Another suggestion would be that you walk around the entire home and property and pay attention to the age and condition of the roof and siding. Siding is the protective material placed on the exterior side of a house or other building wall.

Take a few minutes after the home visit to look around the neighborhood.

Pay attention to details. Are there any stores, or restaurants nearby?

If the property has a garage or parking capacity, make sure you scrutinize it as well.

And during the home tour, make sure to take notes and photos.

Why do I say this? It is mainly because we can get overexcited during the home visit, and it's hard to think clearly. That’s why it is essential to review the notes and photos taken.

Ok, so you have already visited the place and collected a great deal of housing information. Now it's time to give the agent a call.

Here are some basic questions you can ask the real estate agent:

Is the price right?

How old is the home?

Why is it for sale?

Are any repairs needed?

When were the floors last refinished?

What types of heating and cooling systems are available?

How old is the electrical and plumbing?

After you have collected as much information as possible, take some time to relax before making the decision, especially if you're buying.

The bottom line is that buying a home requires a great deal of commitment and patience.

My advice is to avoid falling in love with a house at first sight and do your research.

Ok, so you have learned plenty of new vocabulary today.

Now let's continue with a mini-story.

Now, let’s practice.