When buying a home, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to have mixed feelings, emotions, and thoughts. This can sometimes lead to the possibility of not seeing some defects while house hunting. There are certain things that every buyer should be looking for when viewing potential properties. Items such as the ages of the roof, furnace, and water heater are just a few of the top things to look for when buying a home. Buyers should, however, be looking for red flags when viewing properties. Some home buyers are scared away from home relatively easily, and others can take a lot to scare them away. 

It would help if you addressed any red flags before signing on the dotted line. So, here are the top 10 red flags to look for when buying a home.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #1: Potential Foundation/Structural Problems

One of the most costly repairs to a home is correcting foundation problems. The foundation of a home is arguably the most important part of a home. A home with a problematic foundation can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars to correct a problem.
When looking at homes, it’s important to be aware of the foundation. If the home has an unfinished basement, it can be relatively easy to see any cracking in the foundation. Minor cracking may only be a sign of settling in the home; however, large cracks can be a sign of structural problems with the foundation.
If a home doesn’t have a basement or has a finished basement that doesn’t allow you to look at the foundation, another way to tell if a home is experiencing structural problems is by looking at the door frames throughout the home. If the door frames seem not to be square or the doors seem to have difficulty closing, it’s possible there could be some problems with the home’s structure.
The best way to determine whether a home has foundation or structural problems is by hiring a structural engineer to inspect the home. Many home inspectors can determine whether a home seems to be experiencing some problems; however, it’s unlikely they will be 100% certain whether there are problems or not.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #2: Pest and/or Insect Problems

Depending on the home area, there are certain pests and insects that buyers need to look out for. A severe pest problem should raise a red flag. Many pests, especially wood-destroying pests, can cause damage to a home that can cost thousands of dollars to rectify. The most common problems that should raise red flags include termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants.
Generally speaking, the cost of a pest inspection is relatively inexpensive. The cost of a pest inspection is worth it since a pest or insect problem can cost a significant amount of money to correct.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #3: Random Fresh Paint

One of the best ways to prepare a home on a budget for sale is freshly painting. Painting a room is a reasonably inexpensive way to make a room feel clean and fresh. This is one of the most significant recommendations that Realtors will give to homeowners before listing their home for sale.

Top Realtors will not suggest a homeowner paints one wall or a small area on a ceiling to cover prior damage. When looking at homes, a room with only one wall or a small portion of the freshly painted roof should be a red flag. Why would a seller only paint a small part of the ceiling? Or only one wall? The seller may be trying to cover up a problem, which should be a cause for concern.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #4: Amateur Workmanship & Repairs

Amateur Workmanship & Repairs Are Red Flags To Look For When Buying A Home

Some homeowners are extremely capable of doing quality work around their homes. This is usually not the case; however, it does not stop homeowners from attempting Do-It-Yourself projects around their homes. Amateur workmanship is one red flag that buyers need to be on the lookout for when viewing properties. It’s a crucial consideration to make when buying a flipped property. Commonly, flipped properties are completed by “flippers” who don’t have the qualifications to complete the projects properly. Hence, it’s important to pay closer attention to amateur workmanship when viewing a flipped property.

Some of the most common amateur workmanship jobs to keep an eye out for when looking at homes include plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. When looking at homes, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for leaky faucets, toilets, missing trim work, and other potential DIY projects.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #5: Odors

It’s not uncommon that a homeowner becomes immune to a foul odor. Foul odors are one of the easiest ways that a seller can kill a home sale. When looking at homes, pleasant odors and bad odors can both be red flags.

It’s evident that a foul odor can scare away a potential buyer in less than a minute, but why is a pleasant smell a possible red flag? If a home has a plug-in air freshener in every outlet, a candlelit in every room, and air fresheners hanging in every room, the homeowner may be attempting to cover up a foul odor. While this isn’t always the case, it’s always something that buyers need to be aware of when looking at homes.

If windows open in the middle of the winter when looking at a home, it should raise a red flag again. When looking at homes, if either of these scenarios were to arise, it’s important to find out more and ask the homeowner or have your Realtor find out more.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #6: Poor Overall Neighborhood Condition

Buyers need to remember that when they are purchasing a home, they are not only purchasing the specific lot it sits on and the property itself. When buying a home, they are also purchasing the neighborhood. Red flag buyers need to look for a home in a community with an overall poor condition.

Buyers should look for boarded-up properties and a high number of vacant properties in the neighborhood. Choosing the right community to purchase a home is not always easy; however, it is imperative. Buying a home in a decreasing neighborhood or having crime problems can be a costly mistake.

Most buyers don’t think about how the neighborhood will impact the home’s resale value since they don’t own the property yet. Buying a home in a decreasing area can create problems in the future, not necessarily in the immediate future.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #7: Stains On Walls and/or Ceilings

If a seller has not attempted to cover up stains on a wall or ceiling with paint, this should still be viewed as a red flag when buying a home.

Are the stains resulting from a leak in the roof or the colors resulting from ice damming, or the stains resulting from a plumbing issue?

If there are stains on a wall or ceiling in the home, it’s important to determine what has caused these stains. The stains may be from a prior problem that has been corrected. Not investigating a wall or ceiling stain can cost a buyer thousands of dollars in repairs in the future.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #8: Electrical System Issues

Electrical System Issues Are A Top Red Flag To Look For In A Home!

Depending on the age of a home, there may be issues with the electrical systems. Inadequate or electrical problems is a red flag for a buyer. Many older homes still have older electrical panels with fuses, and even some homes still have knob and tube wiring, which can cause significant problems.

It’s understood that most home buyers are not professional electricians; however, simple things such as turning on light switches, checking for flickering lights, and checking outlets are all good ways to tell if the electrical seems to be working correctly. Most home inspectors will inspect the electrical panel and test the outlets to ensure the electrical systems are not a safety concern.

Two of the most common home inspection findings are issues with the electrical raiser cable and improper wiring throughout a home.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #9: Poor Drainage/Grading

Water in a home is something that almost every home buyer will be terrified of. Most water problems in a home are directly related to poor drainage or grading.
Poor drainage is something that isn’t always easily detected. An obvious sign of poor drainage is pooling water. If the yard of a home has mini lakes, it likely has poor drainage, leading to water problems inside the home. Other signs of poor drainage can include overflowing gutters, migrating mulch in the flower beds, water stains on basement walls, and cracking in the foundation.
Proper grading can make a huge difference when it comes to water problems. It’s common sense that a negative grade resulting in standing water on the foundation can create water problems. A relatively easy and inexpensive way to keep moisture away from the foundation of a home is by installing gutter downspout extensions.

Top Home Buying Red Flags – #10: Mold

Similar to water problems, mold problems should raise red flags when buying a home. Mold can lead to significant health problems, especially for young children. Mold problems are not always easily discovered. However, if a home you look at has mold problems, you need to consider whether the home is the right fit or not. Many considerations need help to determine whether buying a home with mold is the correct decision or not.

Mold remediation can be completed on a home; however, it can be costly. Like many of these red flags, most home inspectors can help discover mold problems in a home. The most common areas for mold in a home are basements and attics. Some companies can perform mold tests to determine whether for particular home has mold or not.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home is a huge event in life, whether it’s a first-time home buyer or an experienced home buyer. It’s critical that when buying a home, buyers are on the lookout for these red flags. In contrast, many of these red flags may not be found while viewing a home. Many of these red flags are likely to be found during a home inspection. A top buyers agent can help point out many of these red flags to potential home buyers while viewing a property.