Buying a home should be a decision made using your head, but instead many people use 50% head, 50% heart. Of course you want to love your home, but there are other factors to consider when buying a home. Some buyers look at a home and instantly fall in love and put in an offer, but there are a few reasons not to buy certain homes. This article will let you know about five warning signs that suggest you shouldn’t buy that home, no matter how in love you already are.
Bad roof
While a roof is an easy fix, if the roof on the home you love is in a bad state of disrepair, it could also mean there is water damage inside the home. You will never know how long the roof has needed a fix, which means you also won’t know how long water has been seeping behind the walls of your home. Mould could be building up, which can cause long-term health issues for you and your family. If the roof is just at the point where you think a new one is in order, this isn’t a deal killer. A roof with obvious cracked and missing shingles is a huge red flag.
Bad plumbing
This may only be a problem in older homes, but newer homes could have plumbing issues too. Plumbing is a very expensive fix and it’s up to you if you want to go that route (if you love the house that much). Remember that in order to fix plumbing problems, some walls might need to be hacked into, which means that paint job you love could get destroyed. If the plumbing issues are minor, like a leaky toilet or outdated water heater, you can still buy the home knowing this isn’t a huge fix. But, a lack of water pressure, drainage and leaks inside the wall spell big trouble.
Bad zoning
As they say – location, location, location. If your home is next door to a bar or other public area, that will probably never be changed. As well, if your home is near an empty lot zoned for a public use, you may want to reconsider the home you are so interested in. You can change almost anything inside a home, but you can’t pick it up and move it to a quieter street. Consider the location of a home before all else.
Outdated wiring
While electrical can be fixed or replaced, this again is a huge undertaking. If your home has knob and tube or some other type of ancient electrical system, you might be best to walk away from this house. Again, consider that to fix electrical issues, walls make need to be damaged to get to the wires. If you still love the house regardless, consider asking the sellers to fix the wiring as part of the conditions of sale. Just ensure that you get your electrician to supervise the job that was done.
Foundation Issues
Foundation issues are a big threat to your home’s well-being. If you see obvious cracks or feel the floors sloping, know that this home might have some foundation issues and it might be best to move along to another home for sale. Just to get a structural engineer to analyze the fix for your home could cost in the thousands and then you’ll have the repairs on top of that. Expect to pay close to $40,000 to fix a home’s foundation issues.
While every home is worth a look, some beautiful homes just aren’t worth the effort.
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