5 Red Flags to Keep An Eye Out For When House Hunting

Searching for a home can be stressful, yet exciting. There is much to consider before placing an offer on a home listing. Because emotions naturally come into play, it is easy to overlook red flags that should a buyer think twice about purchasing a home. Consider the following 5 red flags to keep an eye out for when house hunting.

Foundation issues

While you are fine to disregard hairline cracks in a home, you should not look past major gaps. They are a sign that there are foundation issues with the home. Be sure to also keep and eye out for cracking along window frames and uneven floors. 

Mold

In many cases, mold is hidden from the untrained eye in a home. When touring a home, take a look inside bathroom cabinets, water drains, and pipes. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the ceiling for patches. While a few black spots may seem minor, it could prove to be disastrous. 

Poor tiling

Before making an offer on a home, a buyer should thoroughly inspect the quality of the tiling in the kitchens and bathrooms. If tiling is uneven, it likely means it was not done by a professional and was a DIY project for the sake of selling the home. You need to be cognizant of the fact you may need to pay to get the job redone if it doesn’t hold up like it should.

Water damage

As is the case with mold, buyers need to understand that the presence of water damage should raise some major concerns. In many cases, a musty odor within a home can indicate the presence of water damage. Also, pay close attention to water stains, leaks, and rust around exposed pipes.

Cosmetic changes

Especially in the case of flipped homes, cosmetic changes like a large rugs could be present to hide water damage or mold. The same can be said about walls painted a different color from the rest of the home.