4 Red Flags All Buyers Need To Know When Shopping For a Home

Posted by Justin Havre on Monday, May 13th, 2019 at 4:05pm.

Home Buying Red Flags All Buyers Must Know Buying a new home is a huge investment, and buyers want to ensure that the home they buy is right for them. As buyers go to home showings, they will discover that some homes have big problems that become deal breakers. However, what they may not realize is that homes may also have problems that aren’t so obvious. Here are some big red flags, both visible and otherwise, that all home buyers should be looking out for to protect themselves from a bad deal.

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

1. Everyone Is Moving Out

Some seasons are more popular for moving than others, so buyers may see multiple homes in the same neighborhood for sale. However, buyers should keep a critical eye out when it comes to multiple homes for sale in the same neighborhood, because it can be an indicator that something is wrong and is causing people to leave. If it seems like there’s an unusual number of homes, try asking if there are any construction projects in the area or plans for something that might be causing homeowners to be unhappy with the area. An agent will be able to find out if there’s something specific causing everyone to move or if it’s just a coincidence.

2. The Price Is Too Good To Be True

The saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” If a home’s price seems extremely cheap for what’s being sold, be cautious moving forward with it. The homeowner may be trying to hide problems in the home behind a tempting price tag, so any buyers will need to go through it with a keen eye. It should be noted that if the home is being marketed a fixer-upper, a reduced price is completely normal. However, the home buyer needs to be aware if they’re buying a fixer-upper from the very beginning, and not as an added surprise later.

3. There Are Signs of Infestations

Whether bugs or rodents, no one wants critters hiding in their home. Pests can be dangerous to the health of people living in the home, and unless the buyer is looking for signs of pests, they can easily be looked over. Here are some signs to look for:

Small droppings and chew marks on furniture from mice
Skin sheddings and tiny droppings from insects
Strange smells
Nesting materials
Sounds coming from inside walls or attics
Damage on the home

It can be difficult to get rid of pests once they’ve settled into a home, and sellers may intentionally try to sell a home with pests so they don’t have to deal with it themselves. Know what to look out for to help ensure that responsibility won’t be inherited once the deed has shifted hands.

4. The Listing Doesn’t Have Many Photos

Listings are an Evergreen new home buyer’s first impression of a home, so sellers need to include photos of every part of the home in order to give those buyers a good idea of what they can expect from it. Because of this, when a listing only has a couple photos, no photos, or photos of important rooms are missing, it can be a big red flag. Whether photos of the kitchen are missing or all interior photos seem to be absent, there’s likely a reason for it. Buyers should be wary when dealing with homes like this because they may discover a lot more than expected.

As a home buyer, it’s important to be on the lookout for all types of red flags. After all, no one wants to move into their new home only to discover that it isn’t what it was promised to be.