When buying a home it’s not uncommon that a buyer is overwhelmed with many different feelings, emotions, and thoughts. This can sometimes lead to the possibility of not seeing some very important things while house hunting. Items such as the ages of the roof, furnace, and hot water heater are just a few of the top things to look for when buying a home. Many of the top red flags that buyers should be looking for are things that should not be taken lightly.
Potential Foundation/Structural Problems
When looking at homes, it’s important to be aware of the foundation. Minor cracking may only be a sign of settling in the home, however, large cracks can be a sign of structural problems with the foundation. If the door frames seem not to be square or the doors seem to have difficulty closing, it’s possible there could be some problems with the homes structure.
Find out what's happening in Moorestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Pest and/or Insect Problems
Depending on the area of the home, there are certain pests and insects that buyers need to pay attention to. A severe pest problem should raise a red flag. Many pests, especially wood destroying pests, can cause damage to a home that can cost thousands of dollars to rectify. The most common pests that should raise red flags include termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants. The cost of a pest inspection is absolutely worth it since a pest or insect problem can cost a significant amount of money to correct.
Find out what's happening in Moorestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Random Fresh Paint
Top Realtors will not suggest a home owner paints one wall or a small area on a ceiling to cover up prior damage. When looking at homes, a room with only one wall or small portion of the ceiling that has been freshly painted should be a red flag. It’s possible the seller is trying to cover up a problem, which should be a cause for concern.
Amateur Workmanship & Repairs
Some of the most common amateur workmanship jobs to keep an eye out for when looking at homes include plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. When looking at homes it is a good idea to keep an eye out for leaky faucets, toilets, missing trim work, and other potential DIY projects.
Odors
It’s not uncommon that a home owner becomes immune to a foul odor. Foul odors are one of the easiest ways that a seller can kill a home sale. When looking at homes, pleasant odors and foul odors can both be red flags.
Poor Overall Neighborhood Condition
A red flag that buyers need to look for when purchasing a home is a neighborhood that has an overall poor condition. Buyers should look for things such as boarded up properties and a high number of vacant properties in the neighborhood. Most buyers don’t think about how the neighborhood will impact the resale value of the home, since they don’t own the property yet. Buying a home in a neighborhood that is decreasing can create problems in the future, not necessarily in the immediate future.
Stains on Walls and/or Ceilings
If there are stains on a wall or ceiling in the home, it’s important to find out what has caused these stains. It’s possible the stains are from a prior problem that has been corrected. Not investigating a stain on a wall or ceiling can cost a buyer thousands of dollars in repairs in the future.
Poor Drainage/Grading
Water in a home is something that almost every home buyer will be terrified of. Most water problems in a home are directly related to poor drainage or grading.
Poor drainage is something that isn’t always easily detected. Other signs of poor drainage can include overflowing gutters, migrating mulch in the flower beds, water stains on basement walls, and cracking in the foundation. It’s important that the overall grading is sloping away from the home’s foundation and that water is being run-off away from the home.
Electrical System Issues
Depending on the age of a home, it’s possible there are issues with the electrical systems. It’s understood most home buyers are not professional electricians, however, simple things such as turning on light switches, checking for flickering lights, and checking outlets are all good ways to tell if the electrical seems to be working properly. Most home inspectors will inspect the electrical panel and test the outlets to ensure the electrical systems are not a safety concern.
Mold Similar to water problems, mold problems should raise red flags when buying a home. Mold can lead to major health problems, especially for young children. Mold remediation can be completed on a home; however, it can be costly. Like many of these red flags, most home inspectors can help discover mold problems in a home. The most common areas for mold in a home are basements and attics. There are companies that can perform mold tests to determine whether for certain a home has mold or not.
Final Thoughts
While many of these red flags may not be found while viewing a home, many of these red flags are likely to be found during a home inspection, which is another important reason to have a home inspection when buying a home. When buying a home it is crucial to pick an experienced Realtor, they will have a second set of eyes to pick up on any deficiencies while walking through the house and property.
Thinking of buying? Selling? Contact The Sam Lepore Group at Keller Williams of Moorestown. 856.297.6827 or email at sam@samlepore.com
