Beware of These Red Flags When House Hunting

It’s challenging to find a house you want to live in while keeping your budget in check. If you’ve looked for a while, you may be tempted to settle — especially if you are an excited first-time homebuyer. While accepting a house without a high-end bathroom or tons of closet space may be compromises you can live with, don’t lower your standards too much. Beware of these red flags when you’re house hunting.

Skimpy Photos

If you’re shopping online, it’s essential that you’re able to view every room in the home. A listing that only shows the exterior of the home or one room should cause concern. What are they keeping under wraps? If you’re buying a home virtually, request a full array of photos or, even better, a video that shows every room.

Weird Smells

Listen to your nose. Moldy smells or other odors are bad signs. There could be something nasty, and expensive, going on under the floors, in the walls, or up in the attic. If you sniff large amounts of deodorizer or strong candle scents, the sellers could be masking a bigger problem. Dig into the underlying issue before you proceed.

Water Stains

If you see stains on the ceiling or walls when you’re viewing photos or in person, don’t gloss over it as no big deal. Water leaks can cause issues that are costly to repair. Ask questions about any signs of water damage and note your concerns with your home inspector.

DIY Additions

Ask questions about that screened-in porch, closed-in carport, or newly finished master suite. Unless the seller has a contractor’s license, don’t trust DIY additions. The renovation may not be up to code, might have subpar materials, and could be a dangerous fire hazard or unstable mess.

Roof Damage

Replacing a home’s roof is one of the biggest expenses you’ll ever have to handle. If the shingles are missing or damaged, the time might be near for the current roof to be removed. Get a professional to look at it if you have any inkling it may be in bad shape.

Uneven Floors

Sloping or sagging floors may be a signal of a foundation issue. Find out sooner rather than later, because this can be a budget-breaking repair cost. Your inspector will be able to uncover what’s causing the floor problem and ballpark the cost to correct it.

Fresh Paint in Spots

If only a wall, or a section, is newly painted, you have to ask yourself why the sellers wouldn’t paint the entire room? The only feasible answer is they used paint to cover up a problem with the house. Don’t sign on the dotted line until you unravel this mystery.

You will undoubtedly find at least one thing wrong with every house you view. Even so, there are serious red flags you need to pay close attention to when you’re house hunting. Being vigilant will protect yourself and your budget from costly, unexpected expenses.