Red Flags When Buying a House

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It’s exciting to buy a home, but don’t fall in love with that beautiful yard or open concept just yet. There are signs you need to look for that will tell you if you’re looking at a gem or a dud.

There are a lot of red flags that let you know that caution should be used. Some will even tell you to run. But what are these red flags and should they deter you from buying?

Look for DIY Jobs

Look for subpar workmanship, especially if you know this house was flipped. It especially shows up in the tiling. Check for uneven tiles or gaps. Lazy tiling could indicate you’ll have to put out some cash to have it redone.

Look for any indication that the work was done amateurishly. Most flippers emphasize speed, not quality. If workmanship looks rushed or incomplete, it probably was.

Many quick fixes can be found in:

• plumbing
• carpentry
• electrical work

Listen for sounds around the plumbing. Check for missing trim or uneven flooring. Ensure you pay attention to outlet covers, countertops’ corners, and air vent covers. An amateur will overlook these details.

Overuse of Air Fresheners

You walk in the door, and the strong scent of an air freshener hits you. This could be masking something.

Mold and other pet urine give off foul odors. And many home sellers will use air fresheners to cloak the smell.

If you’re interested in the house, ask the real estate agent or home seller to forgo the air fresheners before you come to look again.

Look closer at the carpet and ensure an inspector looks for mold.

Mass Sell-Off in the Neighborhood

Ensure you look at the neighborhood. How many homes are for sale or have sold in the last 90 days? You'll want to look for:

• abandoned lots
• For Sale signs
• foreclosures
• abundance of rentals

These can be indicators of underperformance or stagnant growth.

Visit the neighborhood during different times of the day and night. When visiting, take note of foot traffic. Look for potential issues like noise.

Learn about amenities and local schools. Ensure you check online databases for sex offenders and crime frequency.

The Walls Are Freshly Painted

Most people spruce up the house with a fresh coat of paint when then go to sell. But a single patch of paint could be a signal that there’s a problem that they’ve covered up.

If you see one wall in the basement painted, that’s another red flag. And check the foundation from the inside. Does it look patched and painted?

These are all indicators that something isn’t quite right.

Sagging Ceilings Mean Money

When touring the house, look up. Are the ceilings sagging, or are they affected by tiny water bubbles? Sagging ceilings could indicate a foundation or structural problem.

They could also indicate leaks above the ceiling. Leaks soften the wood and cause beams to bend.

The bottom line is you could end up with some expensive repairs if you ignore these signs.

Doors Don’t Close Properly

If a door doesn’t close properly, it means that the framing members has shifted. In other words, the door no longer fits the frame. A small slice of the top or bottom of the door will need to be sliced to force the door to close.

Poor fitting doors are often caused by:

• foundation issues
• improper construction
• weather
• more

Most doors are open in a house when you’re touring. Make it a point to pull each door closed and ensure that it latches properly.

You may note that the wood has already been shaved off the edge of a door. This means that the homeowner has already been dealing with it. Keep in mind that the problem is not going away.

You’ll have to determine if it’s something you can repair or live with.

Windows With Condensation

Windows with condensation or foggy are a big red flag. That often means a failed seal. This is especially bad if you see multiple windows with condensation.

It means your house may lose hot or cold air from the HVAC system. This will run up your utility bill. Sliding windows tend to have this problem.

But you might be able to work on a deal with the owner to lower the price so that you can replace the windows.

Hire a Professional Inspector

Despite how great it appears, red flags should make you think twice before buying a house. Don’t just stroll through the house admiring the décor. Be attentive to the little things that could be wrong.

Always have a new home inspected before you sign on the dotted line. A mortgage lender will usually require this anyway.

Don’t totally rely on the inspector. Yes, they’ll do a more thorough examination than you did, but you should let them know about any concerns you have.

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