You are somebody who wants to purchase your first home but you want to make sure that you do it right so that you don’t have a bad first experience. Everyone wants to be sure of that dream home on the market, and come into the buying experience with a clean slate. At DeVries & Associates, we can help you make many important decisions when it comes to your real estate matters. This means standing by your side when it comes to buying/selling transactions. Before you buy, we want to make sure that you aren’t getting involved in a dreaded “money pit” and looking out for the red flags of home buying and ownership.
Red Flags
You think you’ve found the perfect home for you and your family, except things are not always as they seem far under the surface. There are some very expensive, even major issues that you can see firsthand at an open house if you’re really looking. We want to stand by your side to make sure that your first home is your best home – and one built to last. That’s why we want to help you look for these red flags when it comes to choosing your home.
Poor Tiling: When you see the tile in the kitchens and bathrooms, you want to have a closer look. We will be able to help you determine if you are getting into a money pit by seeing if there are uneven gaps (point toward a DIY job), which means that there might be other ways that the previous owners cut corners with the house. This can point to disaster.
Cracks in the Foundation: Foundation issues are more than just a few little hairline cracks, which tend to show up in most homes over time. Large gaps can signal huge problems, especially when you find doors that won’t open correctly or uneven doors.
Deferred Maintenance: You want to look for signs that the previous owner might have skimped out on maintenance when it comes to the house. This includes things like faucets that are leaking, faded paint, and more.
Nearby Water: You love the creek right in your backyard, but have you thought about what might happen if it starts to flood? Could this have an impact on your home, which is right in the front yard? If there is a nearby creek, you might even have difficulty obtaining home insurance, which could mean insane expenses.
Bad Windows: Are there lopsided frames in the home? This might not be a simple mistake – it could signify foundation issues in the home if there is a slant.
Mold: You should always look for signs of mold in your home, which could have adverse effects on your health as well as hurt the integrity of the home. You want to save your family from this disaster that could impact all of you in negative ways.
Water Damage: If there is a musty odor throughout the house, it could mean that there is water damage lurking. Sometimes, those holding an open house will try to mask this with too much scent, like baked cookies or wax warmers.
Bad Ventilation Practices: There could be signs of improper ventilation in the home, such as condensation on the windows or peeling paint close to doors or anywhere that air could come in from outside.
You want to ensure that your home-buying experience is the best one, which is why we want to help you land on the perfect home and make the right decisions when it comes to choosing the one that works for you. When you are working on buying transactions and have questions or concerns, turn to an attorney you can trust at DeVries & Associates. We can help you every step of the way. Call us today at 808-465-2500.