Nowadays, people can spend a lot of time looking at a room’s layout or which brands of appliances are in the kitchen rather than focusing on the important things, especially when buying a house. The truth is that impressive and eye-catching fixtures like stylish furniture are often used by sellers as a distraction to prevent home buyers from noticing glaring issues with a home.
Your main goal as a home buyer is to be able to come home to a welcoming and comfortable house, so it’s important to conduct thorough research before closing a deal with any seller. If you look past the flashy distractions and pay attention to the right details, you can avoid buying a home that will need costly repairs and maintenance in the future. Below, we’ll look at a few important red flags one should consider before buying one of the homes for sale in Lockhart, Tx. Let’s get started!
Aggressive Scents
If you enter a prospective house and are immediately greeted by the delicious aromas of freshly baked cookies or mulled spices, be on guard. These strong scents could be the seller’s way of covering up offensive odors lingering in the house. Look out for things like scented candles, wax melts, and wall-mounted air fresheners as well, as these can also be covering something unpleasant. As you go through each room, make sure to take a deep breath and really get a feel for what odors are present—especially in basements and bedrooms. You can always take a breather outside if your nose becomes acclimated to the scents inside the house. While you’re at it, be on the lookout for signs of smoke or mildew on the walls, floors and ceilings before you invest any money in a property.
Poor Tilling
Double check to make sure the bathroom and kitchen tiles are in perfect condition, as uneven gaps between the tiles can become a major turnoff. It means there were probably many remodeling jobs and fixes carried out in the past, and you may have to replace some of them again one day. So be sure to inspect all tiles carefully before signing the deal, or else maintaining the home could cost you more money than expected in the long run.
Foundation issues
Statistics indicate that numerous houses have several hairline cracks, indicating a foundation issue. Signs of a poor foundation can include cracks above the window, uneven floors, and windows that are difficult to open or close. Therefore, as a prospective home buyer, keep a close eye out for signs of potential foundation problems to avoid tremendous maintenance costs in the future. If you’re unsure and want to test for uneven floors, roll out a marble and see if it wants to pull in a particular direction.
Nearby water
According to recent climatic conditions reports, it’s quite challenging to predict the weather outcome perfectly. This makes it important to figure out the possibility of flooding by asking the neighbors about the issue. Their testimonies should help you determine whether you should buy the house or leave it. And if the surrounding area is prone to floods, seek another place to avoid unnecessary bills in the long run.
Wonky Windows
Last but not least, take a closer look at the home’s windows. Give them a tug to ensure they slide flawlessly, and if you encounter a challenge, it may be a sign that the foundation is poor. The best approach is to ensure the owner fixes that issue to avoid unnecessary expenses in the future. If they’re unwilling to fix the issue, take the home off your list of prospects!
Bottom Line
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. It’s important to do your research and understand what to look for before making such an investment. You can contact Lone Star Realty to help you spot red flags that might be present in a home and give you peace of mind when buying a new property!
Lockhart Real Estate For Sale
If your looking to buy a home or some property in Lockhart, Lonestar Realty Can help! We are in the know about all the best properties in the area and can help get you in to see them. Visit our website today!
