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Warning Signs to Look for Before Buying a Property
When you go to an open house or schedule a tour of a property, the rush and excitement of it all can make you blind to the flaws. And while it is true that no home will be perfect, there are some warning signs that you should not ignore. Here are some of them.
Take a Moment to Inspect the Roof
As you approach the property, take a minute to inspect the roof before you go in. Do the shingles look wavy? This is a sign that the roof has two layers of shingles. The best way to reroof is to strip all the old shingles off and add a fresh new layer. If people took shortcuts on this by just placing new shingles over existing ones, this will result in a roof that lacks integrity and will need replacing sooner. Roof replacements can be quite costly, so if you do not want to take on this expense in the near future, take wavy shingles as a warning sign.
Take Note of Trees That are Existing Close to the Home
Trees are a desirable asset to many when looking at properties. They add practical shade options, and they beautify the property in general. The problem with trees comes when they are residing too close to buildings. Sheds, the home, the neighbor’s home. This can be a problem for one, because storms can cause large branches to break, and if those branches are too close to buildings, they risk causing substantial damage. Another reason their close proximity to the house can be a problem is because of their roots. Tree roots are sprawling and extremely strong, because of these factors, they have been known to find their way into sewer lines and even cause the sewer pipes to break. Having sewer lines repaired is another hefty cost that you may wish to avoid.
Don’t Be Fooled by Candles
Once you step inside the home, take note of the amount of air fresheners the real estate agent is using. It is normal for an agent to want to present the home in the best light. So it is reasonable that they may have the carpets professionally cleaned or set out a bowl of potpourri, but if you are hit with a wave of scented candles, sweet smelling plugins, and other odor masking tools, ask yourself why the agent would go to such lengths. It could be that they are trying to cover up mold, mildew, and pet smells. If you have a suspicion this is the case, ask your real estate agent for a private showing without all the candles.
Ultimately, buying a home is a huge investment. You should be picky. And while no home is perfect, you may want to keep an eye out for these three major red flags the next time you are viewing a property.
Of course, when you buy a new home, issues like these are nonexistent. If you want to cut out the worrying and guessing about the condition of your potential home, take a look at one of our brand new Raymus Homes.