Buying a new home isn’t an easy task. The process will pull at the buyer’s heartstrings, challenge their
patience, and impact their finances for years to come. Since purchasing a home is a major investment,
buyers can’t afford to go wrong with it.
Imagine buying your dream home only to discover that a costly repair is needed. There isn’t any return
policy on houses. Therefore, it is important to inspect the property carefully before buying and only
close the deal when you feel confident about it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some common red
flags one should watch out for when buying a home.
1. Mold
Mold is often an issue in homes that stay unoccupied for a long time. Mold can cause respiratory issues
which makes them dangerous for the inhabitants. Mold remediation is expensive. When inspecting
homes, watch out for mold growth and pay attention to places where mold is likely to grow like garage,
basement and attic.
Buying a new home isn’t an easy task. The process will pull at the buyer’s heartstrings, challenge their
patience, and impact their finances for years to come. Since purchasing a home is a major investment,
buyers can’t afford to go wrong with it.
Imagine buying your dream home only to discover that a costly repair is needed. There isn’t any return
policy on houses. Therefore, it is important to inspect the property carefully before buying and only
close the deal when you feel confident about it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some common red
flags one should watch out for when buying a home.
2. Roof
When inspecting a home, pay special attention to the roof. Repairing or replacing leaky roof can prove
to be costly. If the roof was never replaced, roof replacement was done more than twenty years ago
or/and there is excessive plant growth or moss, it means that the roof is damaged or may sustain
damage in the near future.
3. Foundation Issues
Foundation issues are the most important red flag to watch out for when buying a home. The
foundation is what holds a home together and if it is crumbling or cracked, you’ll lose thousands of
dollars getting it fixed. When you are inspecting a home, closely check the home’s foundation. Small
cracks are normal, but if you notice large cracks, there is a problem. Also check the window and door
frames. Misalignment of frames indicates shifting. It is best to have issues with the home’s foundation
diagnosed by a structural engineer.
4. Inadequate Repair Work
Some homeowners tend to go DIY with the repair work in their homes to save a few bucks. There are
specific standards that one must adhere to when making home repair for the sake of safety. For
example, if an electrical issue wasn’t fixed properly, it can result in a fire. This red flag should not be
ignored by home buyers as it can put their safety at risk.
5. Odd Smell
Take a whiff of the air outside and inside of the home. Does anything smell funky? Unpleasant smells are
an important red flag to watch out for when buying a home as it indicates plumbing issues. Some home
sellers may use air fresheners to cover up the smell. So, if you notice strange odors or the home smells
too nice, it means there’s something possibly wrong.
Home buyers should properly inspect a home by watching out for these red flags before they close the
deal. People who are buying a home for the first time should hire a licensed professional for home
inspection to ensure that they don’t miss any red flags that can lead to costly repairs in the future.