4 Red Flags You Need To Know Before Buying a Home

When buying a new home, all buyers want to make sure they’re getting a good deal and buying a home that they’re going to love. However, if a buyer doesn’t know what to look for, they can potentially end up purchasing a home that has a lot of problems that can cause them to have to spend a lot of money later to fix. In order to avoid this, home buyers should know what to look for when going to home showings to help avoid committing to a home that has a lot of inconvenient problems. Here are some of the most important red flags all buyers should know and be able to identify.

Signs of Insects in the Home

One of the most difficult things in a home for a new homeowner to deal with is an insect infestation. Once insects have taken root in a home, it can be devastating. Here are some of the different signs that insects may leave in a home:

• Egg shells
• Shed skins
• Fecal matter
• Foul odors
• Chew marks in furniture or walls

Insects can make homes unhealthy to live in or even destroy them, depending on the species. The new homeowner may even have to evacuate the home if it needs to be fumigated in order to get rid of the infestation. 

The Price is Too Good to be True

The saying goes, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” This holds true for homes, as well. If a home is priced spectacularly and the buyer can’t figure out why the price is so low, there’s a good chance the owner isn’t saying something about the home. When looking at homes with a price that seems too good to be true, take everything with a grain of salt. The home may be perfectly alright and it’s only priced low due to the homeowners not knowing the market or trying to make a quick sale. However, it’s always best to tread with caution in these situations.

Not Many Photos

On a home listing, the easiest and best way to draw buyers in to come see the home is to include a lot of enticing photos that showcase all of the home’s best features. If a listing doesn’t have many photos of the home, it can mean that the seller is afraid to post photos because of the home’s appearance. A lack of photos can also mean that the listing wasn’t completed before posting, but buyers should still be wary. If a listing only has a photo of the exterior and nothing else, it may mean the seller is trying to hide something.

Everyone is Leaving the Neighborhood

Some seasons are more popular than others for moving, and it’s possible to find that a few homes on the same street are for sale. However, if it seems like everyone is picking up and moving, it can be a bad sign. If everyone is leaving at once, it can mean that something is making them leave, like for instance, a new construction project that may be a problem later on, like a loud interstate or a shopping center very close to the residential neighborhood. If it seems like something like this may be a problem, buyers should ask their real estate agent to look into the matter.

Eagle Ridge home buyers should always be familiar with the different red flags they can encounter when looking for a new home. Being able to identify them early on can help prevent buyers from purchasing a home that will cause them problems later on down the line.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.