Red Flags to Look for When Buying a Home

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

Whether the house is ten years old, fifty years old, or brand new, it’s always important to look for red flags indicating signs of possible home damage that needs restoration before making your final decision. Nobody wants to make the mistake of buying a home, only to discover hidden problems later on that require expensive restoration services and maintenance.

Here’s what we recommend keeping an eye out for when considering a home to buy:

Potential Foundation & Structural Problems

A poor foundation can cost homeowners thousands of dollars to correct, making it one of the most expensive fixes you could potentially have. Be sure the walls, doorframes, and the house itself aren’t leaning in any way or cracked. Also, be sure to check if the yard and other land around the home slopes toward it. If it does slope, that could be a big indicator of damage – water can easily run and collect at the foundation of the house causing severe water damage and compromising its structural integrity.

Poor Drainage

Speaking of water damage, another big red flag when buying a home is how well its drainage system is working. Signs of a bad drainage system could include overflowing gutters, water stains on walls, cracking in the foundation, and pooling water around the yard. If any of these sigs are present, you’ll want to be cautious about that property and how prone it is to water damage if it’s not already experiencing the affects.

The Presence of Mold

Mold spells bad news for the home and your health. While not always easily detected, it’s important for any home to be inspected for mold prior to buying and moving in. Check areas like basements and attics, as well as drains around the house like showers and sinks.

Issues with Electrical Systems

This is where the age of the house comes into play. Electrical system issues can be some of the hardest red flags to detect, so we recommend testing light switches throughout the house while doing a walk through. See how well the lights are working and test the electrical yesterdays. You may even consider hiring a professional inspector to run diagnostics to make sure everything is up to code and avoid potentially hazardous and damaging problems to your home.