Imagine you've located the ideal home in the perfect neighborhood. It checks off every box in your list of cant-do-withouts, a lot of room, as well as all of the nice-to-haves. But when you go see it with your agent, a few big problems stand out, like evidence of water damage,low ceilings in the kitchen and other rooms, or a visible crack in the wall. The question is now do you take this off the list from what seemed like your dream home?
Watch Out for These Warning Signs During a Showing
When you view homes for sale, it's good to keep in mind that the seller may not ever disclose (or know) the entire truth about their home. They may have moved in just within the last few years and it's a 10 or 20-year old home.
With regards to your home's condition, ask a professional home inspector or your agent because they'll usually be able to identify problems that you may not see yourself. Their experience can be very valuable in terms of cost savings if you decide to purchase the home.
And although the home may look well-maintained at first glance, there could be some remaining defects that aren't noticeable to an untrained eye—the following are a few examples.
Foundation issues
Water damage in ceiling
A bad foundation is among the largest and most expensive issues you will have in a home. If you discover any foundation cracks (either inside or outside) it may indicate the home may have significant structural defects if its larger than one-third of an inch.
Additional clues of possible foundation problems consist of doors that don't shut closed, window frame gaps, or floors that droop in spots.
Quick handyman fixes like a leaky faucet or ungrounded electrical outlet may point to a much bigger problem. If you're looking at a home you're interested in putting an offer on or have your offer accepted already, tell your agent to find out the age of the wiring and plumbing. This should be very important to you in order to prevent potential floods or fires and costly repairs in the future.
Ideally, roofs should be replaced every 12 to 15 years. So if you notice some missing or curling shingles, it could mean that a home's roof is getting pretty close to the end of its life cycle. If you're unsure regarding the age of the home's roof, just ask your agent. They can contact the seller's agent for more information or get a home inspector.
Did you notice any dark spots in the ceiling and floors of the home? If yes, this may be a evidence of water damage, which is usually an expensive repair. Make it a point to examine the drainage condition of the home. Following a big rainstorm in a yard that isn't appropriately graded could result in water to leak inside the home.
Homes that have basements are more likely to have leaks than homes without a basement, so remember to go downstairs to search for water damage!
Insects, rodents, and other unwanted pests can become a huge problem for a home, especially if it's extensive in the home. Termites for instance should be a big red flag because they can ruin a home's total structure prior to being discovered.
If you see a huge number of bugs or mice droppings during your viewing, you may want to pass on the home and move on to the next.
If you smell a foul odor during a showing, these scents could be an indication of mold, mildew, water damage, pests, poor ventilation, and numerous other issues. You should be especially concerned if a seller appears to be masking odors with heavily scented candles or air fresheners.
Even if you don't come across any of these issues, it's highly recommended to have a physical inspection after your offer is accepted. A professionally licensed home inspector can identify trouble both big and little and will give you a comprehensive report of everything he/she inspected that must be repaired.
Once you have the report in hand and it has issues the seller was unaware of, you may want to consider renegotiating the price of the home or request the seller to fix the problems. Having said that, if the home is being sold "as-is," you may just have to accept the cost and do your own repairs.
