Common Red Flags to Look Out For When Buying a Home

Common Red Flags to Look Out For When Buying a Home

Buying a Home: 5 Red Flags Buyers Need to ConsiderKnowing when a home is not the right choice is a good skill for home buyers to develop. Sometimes, red flags pop up tell us this may not be the right home. What are some red flags that a home buyer may see to alert them about possible problems or issues in the home buying process.

1. Lots of Recent Sales in the Neighborhood

People are going to buy and sell homes at a regular rate. If many homeowners are trying to get out of a particular neighborhood, home buyers should try to find out more information. The answer may not always be as obvious as a new building nearby that creates a lot of noise for a formerly quiet neighborhood. For example, a municipal improvement that diverts traffic in a different way could make it more difficult to get in and out of the nearby streets.

2. Property and Structural Problems

When buyers start to look at a specific home, they should make their focus as big as possible. Little things like paint color and basic landscaping can distract from larger problems that could be very expensive to fix. People should take their time to look at the exterior property and the structure of the home:

  • Is the property graded away from the house?
  • How does the foundation look, inside and out?
  • Is the roof relatively new?

Asking these and other questions will help to flesh out the details on the most important aspects of the house. The assistance of a home inspector can be of great help. Properties that seem to have serious issues could cost a lot more than buyers initially expect.

3. Signs of Poor Maintenance

Buying a home that has been owned by someone else first requires some discussion of maintenance. A home that is well-kept and regularly upgraded might be on par with newer or new homes. Similarly, a home where the owner only did the absolute minimum may signify a problem of deferred maintenance along with other problems underneath the surface. A gutter is not particularly difficult to clean out, so buyers might think clogged gutters are not a big deal. However, a home full of these seemingly little problems could add up to big repairs after closing.

4. Temperature or Odor Irregularities

As buyers walk into a home, they should keep in mind that their first impression is probably the best the home will be. Sellers generally understand the importance of making sure the buyer feels most comfortable in the space. If a buyer enters through the door and senses that the air is stuffy or stale, there may be concerns about the heating, air conditioning, or ventilation. Also, if the home has a strange odor, this could signify a mold problem. These problems can be pretty expensive to fix, and buyers who accept them may have to shell out for the repairs before they can even move in.

5. Overuse of Staging

Home staging has two goals; to emphasize the home's best attributes, and shift the focus away from problem areas. Sometimes, the staging can feel stilted or inconsistent, and this is when buyers should be most aware. A room with only one freshly-painted wall calls into question what happened to that particular wall. Beautiful vintage hardwood flooring that is lovingly displayed in every room except one might be concealing something like water damage. If buyers can limit the effect the staging plays in the way they see the home, they have a better chance of seeing the house as it really is.

Finding a dream home in home in Edina MN could require buyers to go through a home or two before buying a home. The trick is to know a possible problem home when people see it. With these signs, buyers will be better prepared to take the next step and move on with their real estate agent to the next home.

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