What Warning Signs Can You Look Past When Buying A House?
Much of the “red flag” discourse out there will have you believe that once you notice a flaw in something, perhaps anything, you should run a mile. But of course, real life doesn’t work that way. Yes, if a date keeps asking how much money you make and other intimate questions then perhaps that’s a sign to leave. Or, if someone makes a business deal sound too good to be true, it probably is.
But it’s not always easy to know where the line is. For example, if you’re looking to buy a house, not everything is going to be perfect. That means there will be difficulties, and downsides, and issues to keep in mind. But at what point is a warning sign telling you to run, and at what point is it just something else to sort out, and potentially deal with for the sake of a good home?
In this post, we aim to help you square that circle. Without further ado, please consider:
Surface-Level Disrepair
It’s a shame when you love the exterior of a house, but you find the inside is in a state of disrepair, or vice versa. However, finding scratched wooden floors or a few dings on the walls is normal, as these are cosmetic issues that you can fix down the line. You can see this as a chance to put your own mark on a place.
It’s important to tell the difference between these easy fixes and bigger, more expensive problems with the structure, and that’s where you should direct your home inspector to find any issues. Minor scuffs and scrapes shouldn't be a deal breaker if the rest of the home is solid.
A Minor Pest Presence
Finding a couple of spiders or a single mouse in a basement isn't always an immediate reason to run away, even if you’re sensitive to them and want to sprint. It's more common than you think for houses to have small, manageable creature issues, especially if it’s been unoccupied for a while.
You'll also want to check for signs of a bigger infestation, but a minor presence is often just a normal part of homeownership that can be handled. A good pest control company can help you manage and eliminate the problem, which means the presence of a few bugs or a lone mouse is not usually a sign of major structural damage.
Water Pooling & Poor Runoff
It’s important to be on the lookout for water pooling in the yard or near the foundation, which can happen after heavy rain. If it’s not appropriately addressed, t’s a big problem to deal with. Unlike surface-level scuffs, this can be a sign of very serious issues like a bad foundation or a poor drainage system.
However, if you notice some slight water pooling on a patio in a dip, that might mean the ground needs to be reinforced or the staging area repaired. Be mindful of where the water is and consider why, but make sure you know it’s just not a shallow pool and get the wrong impression.
With this advice, we hope you can get closer to your dream home.