Buying a new home is an exciting process. Most buyers will look at multiple homes. When viewing these home, we have a few red flags to keep an eye out for.
1. Overpowering Smell
It’s normal to go into a house that is for sale and smell fresh baked goods or a lightly scented candle. However, if you notice that there are multiple air fresheners in place (candles, wallflowers, plugins, etc.), it may be a sign that they are trying to hide an odor. When you go into the different rooms, just take a whiff of the room to see if you notice an odor. Also, take a look at the walls and floors. The seller may be trying to cover up smells that are from pet accidents, smoke, or even musty smells from water damage. This is not always the case, but still, buyer be cautious.
2. Interior Water Leaks/Damage
One of the smells we mention to sniff for is mold/mildew from water damage. There may not be any water leaking at the time, but look around at ceilings and walls for any indications of past or present water damage, such as water lines. Information regarding water leaks is required on the Residential Property Disclosure form that you should receive from your agent. The basement is another place to look for damage from water leaks, mainly around the piping. The signs can, again, be water marks, but, also, rusting on the pipes, mold or mildew. In the bathroom, laundry room, or any areas that would be exposed to moisture, check that the area is property ventilated. If the room has not type of ventilation, it may be exposed to moisture often and for long periods, leading to mold or mildew. The sellers may try to put a fresh coat of paint over the damage to cover it up.
3. Exterior Water Damage/Flooding
There are certain soil types (like sandy soils) that may leave ponded water on the lawn after a heavy rain; this is normal. However, if you multiple, large ponds of water, it may be a cause for concern. Also, look for any ponds, creeks, or rivers close by. Find out if the property is in a flood zone, or if the near by body of water tends to flood.
4. Structural Issues
It is normal for older homes to have small cracks and crevices in the foundation. This is, usually, the result of settling. However, you should not see large gaps, cracks and holes in the foundation. These larger voids usually mean a bigger with the foundation than just settling. You will, also, want to keep an eye out for uneven floors.
All of these issues should be pointed out in the Residential Property Disclosure. However, if it is a home being sold by the family member of a deceased person, they may not know all of this information. So, it doesn’t hurt to keep you eyes and nose open for some of the issues we have talked about.
Read the Original Article Here: What to Look for When Buying a House: 10 Major Red Flags
