6 Red Flags to Watch for When Buying a Home – If you’re house hunting, you probably have a list of things to look for when you’re touring a potential new home, but searching for those items may leave you blind to the things you SHOULD notice but don’t pay attention to. Sellers should disclose any issues or problems with the home, but sometimes they may try to smooth over them and hope buyers don’t notice. While you know to get a pro to inspect a home before you actually make the purchase, you can save time and money by keeping an eye out for certain red flags when you visit a listed home.
Below are six of the red flags to look for when buying a home:
1. Poor maintenance. Is the paint fresh, or is it faded or peeling? Are the gutters cleaned and the yard maintained? If the owners don’t keep up the basic things, what else have they neglected?
2. Too many “For Sale” signs. Is there a sale sign in multiple yards in the neighborhood? If so, something’s up that is making these homeowners want to leave. Investigate and do your research on the area before becoming more involved.
3. Fishy (or plain bad) smells. We don’t literally mean fishy, but if something doesn’t smell right, that’s a big red flag. Smells like smoke or pet odor can be hard to remove, and some smells can mean a mold or mildew problem. Another tell is if there are lots of candles or bowls of potpourri.
4. “Off limits” areas. Is a room blocked off or locked during the house tour? This could be a private area, or there could be an issue behind the closed doors. If you’re still interested in the house, ask the homeowner to show you those areas at a later time.
5. Unfriendly animals. Do you see mouse or ant traps, or smell insecticide? These could point to an insect or rodent problem. Keep a good eye out for any sign of infestation.
6. Signs of moisture. Do the walls look like they’re sagging? Is there any sign of moisture in the windows or basement? These could point to serious foundation or mold problems.
By keeping an eye out for these problems, you can save yourself from spending time and money on a house that may prove unfit for you. Have you experienced any of these red flags? Do you have any other red flags to add? Comment to share with us!
About Deborah Laemmerhirt
Let me assist you in finding everything you need to know about buying or selling a home! As the preeminent real estate professional in my community, I am dedicated to providing the finest service available while breaking new ground.
Because the real estate industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, you need a professional that understands the industry and is positioned to stay ahead of the game.
I go the extra mile to help you achieve your goals. That’s why I constantly research the home, market and estate values so your home is priced effectively from day one. I also make sure the public knows your home is for sale by using innovative marketing techniques to attract potential buyers.
As an Internet-savvy real estate representative in Connecticut, I’ve had the opportunity to help many home buyers find their ideal homes and many sellers obtain top dollar for their homes. Buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial transactions that most people ever undertake, so I will help you through every step of the process. My goal is to make your home selling or buying experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
My services include:
Explaining the home selling and buying process thoroughly
Diligently selecting homes that meets your criteria
Pricing your home correctly and implementing a unique yet proven marketing plan
Negotiating on your behalf
Tracking the closing process to ensure a smooth transaction
I welcome the opportunity to address any questions you might have about buying, selling or current market conditions. Please call or e-mail me any time, and I will be happy to discuss your next steps in the buying or selling process.
I specialize in both Residential and Commercial Properties.
I also head a Real Estate Group to provide you with expert service and support.
Areas of Expertise
Making transitions in your life is challenging. You may be moving from out of town, a different state, internationally or just next door! Regardless of the distance I am prepared to respond to your unique needs.If you are a BUYER looking to downsize, up-size, want a new construction, desire a condominium, to invest, even if this is your first home, I will design a unique plan to fulfill your needs in a reasonable time frame, with the best negotiated price and the least amount of inconvenience.For my Home Sellers, I have an innovative marketing plan that will leave nothing to chance. Just call, and I would be happy to share the DIFFERENT and SUCCESSFUL TOOLS I utilize on each of my listings.
I have lived in Connecticut for over 35 years. I practice Real Estate in Fairfield County, New Haven County and Litchfield County. This includes, but is not limited to Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Oxford, Ridgefield, Redding, Roxbury, Sherman, Southbury, Warren, Washington, Westport and Wilton.
