Shopping for a home is an exciting time in your life, but it is also a time when you need to be on the lookout for hidden home features. While most sellers will tell the whole truth about a home, occasionally you will run into the individual who is so motivated to sell that they try to hide certain less-than-desirable features. Below is a list of potential problem spots that you should look for within each home, and remember that before you purchase a home you should pay for a professional home inspection.
1. Beware of the Vacant Neighborhood
Don’t let a home’s amazing curbside appeal keep you from checking out the other neighborhood homes. Are there several homes for sale? Do the local businesses appear to be thriving? Does the neighborhood seem vacant or are there a fair amount of people out and about? Beware of any neighborhood that appears to be too empty. If everyone has left the street, there is probably a reason, and you might find out that the neighborhood’s value is falling.
2. Lack-luster Maintenance
Gutters, peeling paint, cracked fence posts, and poorly maintained walkways are a few of the signs that a house may not have received tender loving care from the current home owners. Once you are inside of the home, be sure to check the floorboards, ceilings, and tile to see if they have been properly maintained.
3. Leaks
When you are on a home tour, ask if you can turn the faucets on and off. Checking the faucets will help you to determine if there are any hidden leaks. You also have the added benefit of seeing if the water pressure meets your standards. Additionally, you should flush the toilet to see how quickly the water drains and the bowl refills.
4. Bad Smells Inside and Outside of the Home
Is the home burning candles in every room? If so, they might be trying to mask an internal smell. If a home has recently suffered from mold or water damage, the sellers could try to mask the smells by burning candles, lighting incense, or spraying room fresheners right before your tour. You should also check the outdoor smells; this is especially important in urban areas, where the local restaurant smells might waft into your new backyard.
5. The Case of the Freshly Painted Wall
New paint can really spruce up a home, but it can also hide serious problems. Any time that you see a fresh coat of paint, check the surrounding walls for water damage, mildew, or mold. You will also want to check and see if there are any major electrical outlets near the wall. If this is the case, find out if the home recently had any repairs; the answer to this question will help you to determine if the fresh paint is a cover-up or simply the result of recent home-enhancing repair work.
6. Locked Doors and Off-limit Areas
If any of the rooms are locked or dubbed off limits, be sure to find out why. It is possible that the homeowner is simply a private person and they don’t want you snooping through that area of the home; but, it is always best to find out the true reason they don’t want you in a certain area.
7. Check All Windows
Windows are both a functional and aesthetically pleasing aspect of a home. With this in mind, check to see if the windows are double or triple paned. Place your hand next to the window to see if any cold air is making its way into the home. You will also want to see if the window has secure locking features.
8. Ask About Renovations
Renovations are a fantastic way to improve the floor plan of a home; however, as a new home buyer, you want to make sure that the renovations were safely completed. Did they achieve the new open floor plan by removing a load-bearing wall? If so, did they properly adjust the framing? Knowing the answers to the latter questions will help you to determine the structural integrity of the home.
9. Check for Pests
Walk around the home. Are there outdoor bug traps? Are there mouse or rodent traps in the garage? Be on the lookout for obvious signs that the home currently has or recently had a bug problem. No one wants to move into a home that is prone to rodent infestations.
10. Emotional Defects
Did you know that sellers don’t have to disclose whether a property is haunted or if a murder or death occurred in the home? However, the seller will be required to disclose this information if you or your Realtor directly asks the question. It is important to note that different states have different laws regarding emotional defects. If you have any doubt about the sellers answer, then you should consult local news publications and the recent obituaries.
Now that we’ve covered a few of the problem spots that you should watch out for, let’s examine some of the positive features to find within the home. As you continue shopping for the perfect home, ask yourself the following type of room-based questions:
- Bathrooms – How many bathrooms do I want? Do I want any half-baths? Are double vanities a must-have or a “nice to have” feature?
- Closets – How much storage space do I really need? What are the perks of his and her closets? Do I need a walk-in closet?
- Kitchen – Do I want an open kitchen floor plan? Tile or wooden kitchen floor? New appliances or old will do? Do I want an eating area directly attached to the kitchen?
- Bedroom – How many bedrooms? Bathroom to bedroom ratio? What type of flooring do I want in the master bedroom?
- Outdoors – Do I want an attached garage? Front yard, back yard, or both? Is the yard fenced? Do I have room to add gardens, a pool, patio, or any new features?
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