RED FLAGS TO LOOK AT WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME
Today, I will tell you about red flags to look at when buying a new home. Homebuyers usually become overwhelmed with the flood of information when finding a house. In addition, they tend to overlook certain things when viewing the property.
As the top real estate agent in California (awarded by homesnap), I will tell you about red flags before closing any real estate deal.
UNEXPECTEDLY LOW PRICE
There’s no real estate red flag more egregious than a price that’s just too good to be true. Several times, homeowners drastically reduce the table price of their home because it has been on the market for too long, or they’re hopeless to sell it. This could mean something is wrong with the property.
A best real estate agent in California will have information about all the local markets. A good real estate agent will also find out why the property is priced that way.
POOR DRAINAGE IS A RED FLAG
Poor drainage can cause massive problems with the foundation or basement of your home, so it should be high on your list of home inspection red flags. When it comes to bad drainage, you need to look for a few things. You have to check for pooling water around the foundation, leaking in the basement, gutters that are overflowing or blocked. Moreover, you need to check if the soil is wet by the water in any flower beds around the house.
While there are ways to fix poor drainage and indecorous grading if it’s minor, you might struggle with larger drainage problems if the home is in a low-lying area.
CRACKS IN THE FOUNDATION
The foundation is one of the most critical structures in a home, and any repairs to it can get costly. One of the most significant things you need to look out for when checking out a home is cracking in the walls and foundation.
While it’s normal for a poured concrete foundation to develop hairline cracks as the cement settles, any cracks wider than half an inch or large cracks that appear to have been lately covered up are a red flag. If you hire me as your real estate agent, I will make sure we get a proper inspection of all the walls and foundations.
OUTDATED ROOF IS A RED FLAG
Another veritably important thing to check when viewing a domestic property is the roof. Away from the fact that a new roof can cost hundreds of dollars, the make and condition of a home’s roofing system can also have a huge impact on home insurance rates.
As the best real estate agent in California, I ask the owner when the roof was last replaced before making a deal. I try to stay away from the property with roofing systems that are oppressively outdated or nearing the end of their life span.
WEIRD SMELLS
No one wants to live in a home that has a weird smell. Unpleasant odors in a home could indicate several issues, including soil infestation, water damage, poor ventilation, leaking pipes, and HVAC issues.
It’s not just weird smells that should raise a red flag, but exorbitantly pleasant smells should as well. Before closing a deal, I will inspect that homeowner did not put any scented candles and other strong artificial smells over the place and trying to cover up this property issue.
FRESH PAINT IS A RED FLAG
Not all freshly painted homes have a problem. Repainting is one of the stylish and most budget-friendly ways to prepare a home for sale, so it’s quite normal for sellers to apply a new coat of paint on the walls before listing their property.
Fresh paint still raises a red flag when only random walls or portions of the house have been painted again. Why would the dealer repaint one side of the room or only a portion of the ceiling? It is also possible that they want to cover up a problem, similar to a deformity on the wall or water stains from leaking. Whatever it’s that they’re trying to hide. I always check random fresh paint patches around the home.
EVERYBODY’S SELLING
The location is everything when you’re buying a new house. Indeed, the most beautiful property can be a pain to live in if it’s located in a problematic neighborhood. Before you decide to buy a new home, make sure to check out the community around it.
Are there several properties in the neighborhood to sell out? This could mean that there’s a problem with the location. A house that has several owners in history also raises a red flag because this could mean that there’s something wrong with it.
NEVER FOREGO A HOME INSPECTION
Buying a home is one of the biggest opinions you’ll make in your life, so be sure you do it right. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an educated one, you should never waive a home inspection.
CONCLUSION
There are several problems and red flags that you might not be able to spot on your own. As the best real estate agent in California, I will professionally inspect the property and will make sure you do not encounter any issues concerning the home you’re about to buy. Whenever you buy or sell a home, contact me for real insights about the property and the location. You can also contact me on Compass.