Buying a house is one of the most important events in one’s life, as it’s your life-long investment. Undoubtedly, you may feel a bit anxious when touring houses since you want to make the right decision. That’s why it’s vital that you get in touch with a professional real estate agent when buying a house in New York or another city to keep potential problems at bay.
When looking for a house, you should look beyond the aesthetics. Many sellers may window-dress their property with fancy furniture and deep cleaning. However, it’s essential to look at the details of a house.
To stay on the safe side, you should look out for the following 5 red flags when buying a house, so read on.
Home Buying Red Flag #1: Potential Structural Problems
Houses with structural problems can cost a lot of money down the road. When visiting houses, make sure you pay attention to any potential foundation problems.
You can look at the doors and assess if they are properly built and open/close with ease. Large cracks are a big no-no. Seeing a door or window frame with large cracks should be enough of a red flag for you.
Sticking windows and doors, bulging or leaning walls, sagging or leaky roofs, and uneven floors can also indicate structural problems. During a home inspection, you can determine the house’s condition better.
Home Buying Red Flag #2: Pest Problems
Pest problems in a house can cause inconvenience and cost a lot of money since they can destroy the wood and structure of a property.
The most common pests to look out for are carpenter ants, termites, and powder post beetles. A licensed pest inspector won’t charge you much and will also save you from hassle down the road. They will thoroughly check the house for pest problems before you close the deal.
Home Buying Red Flag #3: Too Much Scent
Foul odor from a house is enough to make the potential house owners run away as soon as they enter. However, too much pleasant scent may indicate that the house owner is trying to mask a foul odor.
If you see a lot of scented candles and air fresheners in every room, this should give you a red flag, and you should be skeptical about it. While you’re at it, look at ceilings and flooring for water damage signs, mildew, or smoke before making an informed investment decision.
Home Buying Red Flag #4: Poor Neighborhood Condition
Most home buyers overlook the neighborhood a house is located in. It’s essential to keep in mind that neighborhood can significantly affect the sales price of your property. If you have to sell your property down the road, the neighborhood can be a determining factor.
In addition, if other properties are in poor condition in the neighborhood or the area has a lot of crime problems, you should take it as a red flag and look for other properties.
Home Buying Red Flag #5: Electrical System Issues
If the property is quite old, it may have electrical issues. However, even with a comparatively new property, you should still thoroughly inspect the electrical systems to prevent problems in the future.
For example, switching the lights on/off, testing outlets, and assessing if the lights are flickering will give you a better overview. For your peace of mind, you can always take the services of a home inspector before finalizing a deal.
