When someone tries to sell their home, they do not always tell the whole truth. Sadly, most of us cannot afford hiring a professional inspector for each property that we view. But don’t worry because a potential buyer like you can do a bit of inspecting yourself and here are indicators showing what house to avoid buying.
Firstly, always look at the neighborhood. Are there many homes for sale and many boarded up shops? Ask people who live in the area whether it is a good place to live. Look at the land as well. If the land slopes downwards towards the property, there is a chance that the foundations have been or will be damaged by flowing rain water. If you notice any bad smells, there is generally something amiss. Next, check whether there are pests. Ask community members of this, as everybody always knows when someone else has pests.
A number of things may also have happened to a property that are very hard to restore. Some of these issues include water damage, pest damage, asbestos, mold and faulty wiring. The issue is that identifying these types of problems can be very difficult. The current owners themselves may not be aware of the presence of these problems. And if they do, it is likely that they will try to keep them hidden. By simply ensuring the property is very clean and no sockets are used unnecessarily, you are not able to see the problems are there. To find out whether these issues are there, you can organize a professional home inspection, but you can also speak to community members. They will be happy to tell you about any historical issues that have occurred in the area. Generally speaking, big issues like pests, water damage and mold happen in more than one house at the same time.
The reality is that you are the only one who can decide whether or not to buy a property. It is also true that if you are looking for a true bargain, then a house with problems is what you are looking for. You do have to ask yourself whether that bargain is worth the potential financial hassle you are putting yourself through. Whether you purchase a property as an investment or as a home, it is always going to be a building that somebody will live in, and you need to make sure that the quality of life in that property can be pleasant and enjoyable. Naturally, you do also have to look at the property itself, but the importance of looking into the neighborhood cannot be denied either. All you really have to do in order to find out whether the property itself is any good is hire a property inspector. When it comes to the neighborhood, however, you need to have a personal feel, something that cannot be achieved by a check box list.
