Red Flags for Home Buyers

Sometimes, as with most things, if something sounds too good to be true it probably is. And if something doesn’t feel quite right it probably isn’t. While there are certainly plenty of gut reactions to pay attention to, how do you know what is worth taking seriously and what is an overreaction? Here at the Knoxville movers, we know that purchasing a home is one of the biggest and most important steps in your life as an adult. We want to make sure you don’t end up on the sour end of a real estate deal, so we’ve gathered a few tips to help you avoid a potentially bad situation. Here is our list of real estate red flags to be on the lookout for:

A lot of homes suddenly for sale. If there are several homes in a neighborhood for sale, and lots of them recently listed, you want to do a little research and see what is prompting the neighborhood to evacuate. Are nearby businesses abandoned or vandalized? Have there been a string of thefts? If everyone else is trying to leave the street, then why would you want to move into it?

Poor maintenance. Laws overgrown, peeling paint and other eyesores are a red flag that the neighborhood is not maintained and that it intends to stay that way. If the owners nearby aren’t maintaining their homes, what other areas they are being negligent towards.

Foundation problems. Check the yard and see if there is a sloping of the yard towards the house. If there is, it might cause foundation leaks and other problems. If you can spot bulges or cracks larger than 1/3 of an inch, then you can be the house has serious problems with the structure.

Fresh paint on only one wall. New paint can really spruce up drab walls, but it can also hide bigger problems, like water damage, mildew or mold. If the room smells strange or if you see stains or saggy walls or ceilings, have an inspector look for mold and leaks. These problems will only worsen.

Funky smells. Take a big whiff of the air inside and outside the house. Do you smell anything funky? If you can’t smell anything but the huge baskets of potpourri all over the house, this could be a red flag. There could be mold or mildew problems, rodent problems, and much more—either way you should not stick around to find out.

Creepy crawlers. No one wants a house with pests, be it roaches, rodents or termites. Be on the lookout for unwelcome creatures as you tour the house. Even if no foes pop out while you’re there, consider a separate termite inspection if you’re thinking of purchasing the property.