5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When House Hunting
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We’re going to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart and hopefully yours too – house hunting! Now, I know searching for that perfect home can be thrilling, but it can also be a bit overwhelming, am I right? That’s why it’s crucial to keep your eyes wide open and be on the lookout for those sneaky little red flags that might pop up along the way. We’ve all seen the house online that looks too good to be true. A super low-priced home in a higher-priced community. Pictures show a beautiful home, but begs the question: what’s wrong with it?
Avoiding Buyer's Remorse: 5 Tips for Home Buyers
Sure, that listing price might seem like a steal, but do your homework and find out why. Is the neighborhood on the decline? Are there any upcoming developments that might affect property values? And don’t forget about those pesky homeowners’ association fees – they can add up faster than you can say “dream home.”
For now, let’s dig deeper into our 5 biggest indicators that will help you avoid a HOUSE LEMON!
1. Detecting Water Damage
As you wander through those inviting rooms, keep your senses sharp. Sniff around for any funky odors – musty smells could signal mold or mildew issues, while strong scents of air fresheners might be masking something fishy. And speaking of fishy, keep an eye out for water stains on the ceilings or walls. That could mean trouble with plumbing, a dying water heater, foundation erosion or even a leaky roof!
Here in Florida (especially near the coast) we have entire neighborhoods that flooded during hurricanes, heavy rain or high tide events. While flood or water damage should be disclosed by the seller and/or the seller’s agent, don’t count on it. Be sure to get a licensed home inspector with a moisture meter to check out any concerning areas.
2. Structural Damage
Take a walk around the outside of the home as well. Concrete block construction has long been considered the gold standard in Florida homes. It is common to see “stair step” cracks between the blocks on the outside of Florida homes. This is usually caused by settling that happens over time and is very common. However, if cracks appear that you can fit a coin inside, they should be professionally inspected.
Some insurance companies in Florida offer sinkhole coverage. It’s important especially if you have concerns or fears about sinkholes, that you ask your insurance provider about coverage.
3. Drug Use
Unfortunately, Florida also has a reputation for “meth” houses and illegal marijuana grow operations. This can be unsafe and unhealthy to live in even after that fact. Neighbors and the local police department are great resources to find out information about the house before you fell in love with it. They will offer valuable insights into the people who lived there before you. Police departments will release any information about police activity at the property.
4. Old Outdated Systems
It may be easy to overlook an old roof. However, here in Volusia County, FL insurance companies will drop your coverage after it gets to a certain age (regardless of whether you believe it needs to be replaced or not). You may be forced to get a new roof or lose insurance coverage.
Other systems that are also important to be aware of their age and condition are the water heater, plumbing, A/C, and electrical. If any of these systems are outdated, you are risking potential damage to your home and your insurance costs will be higher.
5. Unpermitted or DIY Repair Work
Florida is a hot zone for unpermitted work and homeowners doing poor repair work. Be on the look out for uneven surfaces, doors that won’t close, cracked grout and creaky floorboards which might hint at hidden problems. Pulling permits is an important step when improving your home and it ensures a city/county inspector reviews the work and files paperwork to prove the work done was done up to current building codes.
Bonus Tip! Pests
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – those pesky pests! Nobody wants to share their home with unwanted critters, so keep an eye out for any signs of infestation. Look for droppings, chewed-up wood, or even tiny holes in the walls – those could be the telltale signs of a furry or creepy-crawly intruder. Several types of termites, wood boring ants, rats and mice are common pests in Florida homes.
