So, you have finally found a property that you really like. It is a perfect size, is located at the right place in town, and is situated pretty close to your office. But wait before you give your nod to the property.
Why is there a fresh coat of paint on one side of the walls? What are those little piles of brown things near the walls? Has the homeowner used too much air freshener?
Learn more here about the home buying process and all such red flags you need to watch out for when buying a house.
If the doors are not closing, it is a clear indication that the framing parts have moved and the door frame is not in a good condition. In many cases, the homeowners cut a bit from the bottom or top of the door to make sure it closes.
Thus, if you see that the doors are a bit trimmed at the bottom or top, it is a major red flag. It means that the door might be properly shut, but the issue leading to the shift persists.
Basically, all types of poured concrete foundations end up cracking at some point in time. However, hairline cracks are not something you need to worry about.
But if the crack looks wider than half an inch, get a foundation contractor to take a look at the area. Also, do the same thing for the cracks that look like they have been patched up recently. Keep in mind that large cracks indicate foundational instability.
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First off, most molds are not toxic, such as the common Stachybotrys. But it is also true that inhaling all kinds of spores can cause respiratory issues and other diseases. Also, the presence of mold is an indication of the ongoing issues with the place.
If you can smell mold, look around the windows, below the sinks, and in the basement. In case this leak has been around for a long duration, you might need to replace carpets, drywall, and wood members.
The presence of termites is enough to jeopardize a house contract. Thus, it is better to look for the signs before you make an offer. A telltale sign to watch out for is the presence of little piles of brown droppings near the walls. Also, you would hear a hollow sound while knocking on wooden surfaces and the mark of mud tubes on the foundation.
Termites being subterranean, construct small tunnels of mud in the walls and foundations to keep themselves protected from sunlight as they move around between the underground nests and all the wood they are munching.
Construction materials and water do not mix. Trickling water from leaky windows or roofs tends to rot away the wooden structural members.
Furthermore, if you notice the stains to be brownish or yellowish, there might be a plumbing issue on the upper floor. So, it is better not to make any offers until you know the source of the leak and the extent of the damage.
Regardless of how cozy and quaint the house is, it is a red flag when it’s ceiling sags. Sagging ceilings, irrespective of how much of a sag there is, can be an indication of roof leaks.
Also, structural movements might cause the drywall on the ceiling to get loose from the joints. It might be an infestation of insects eating away at those joints. No matter the reason behind the issue, it is expensive to fix it.
Though many homeowners are skilled at making repairs and fixing things around the house, only a few have enough skills and knowledge to make an addition in accordance with building codes. So, if the home has made an addition minus oversight from local building authorities, it might have plumbing, wiring, and structural issues.
Fresh paint does not have to immediately ring a bell in your mind. As a matter of fact, sellers tend to put new paint on their walls before they list the property.
However, you need to doubt fresh paint when it looks out of place, like when just one wall in the room looks painted. Spot painting is usually an indication of something getting covered up, such as water stains.
A strong scent of air fresheners the minute you enter the house or the presence of essential oil diffusers in each room are also red flags. It indicates that the homeowner is attempting to mask the smell of something like a carpet saturated with pet urine or the mark of mold below the sink.
If you like the house, you can ask for another showing and tell the seller not to use any air freshener the next time you come.
You might have already heard that location is the most crucial aspect of purchasing a house. If multiple houses in an area are up for sale, it indicates an issue with that location, like a proposed landfill or rising crime rates. So, neighborhood sleuthing is also a part of house hunting for you.
A yard has to be a minimum of two percent grade distant from your house to make sure that the water doesn’t reach the foundation walls. You need to drive by the property you’re considering after the rain. The yard might have drainage issues if you notice puddles of water all around.
Also, puddles forming near the foundational wall are concerning as the water draining along the wall might reach the basement through cracks.
So, if you notice any of these red flags at any point while inspecting the house, stop right there and back off from the deal. That property is far from being the perfect home you are looking for.
