According to realtors, many first-time home buyers make plenty of mistakes that result in them wasting a lot of money in the long run. To help you out, here are signs that you should look out for to tell that you will be throwing your money down the pit when you buy a given house:
The roof is shoddy
The roof is the main defense system against weather elements; therefore, when it’s leaky or poorly maintained, you will be in for trouble. When the roof is leaking, you not only risk damaging your possessions, you also risk damaging your home.
When making the purchase, ask the seller how old the roof is. A properly maintained roof should last for at least 30 years. You should note that the older the roof is, the more it’s likely to develop problems.
You should inspect the gutters and ensure that the drainage systems are in good working condition. Also, be on the lookout for dry rot that is often caused by poor ventilation that is known to lead to sagging and crumbling of the house.
It’s possible to see from the ground whether there are cracked or missing shingles but for you to get the right report, you should hire a roofer to do the inspection. You should do this before you make the offer, or during the contract phase of the negotiations.
It’s common for house sellers to do the inspections before they put the houses on the market. Is this the case with your seller? Ask for the inspection report and review it.
The house has bad plumbing
Plumbing systems are the guts of the house and when they aren’t working as effectively as they are supposed to, you won’t be comfortable living there. While it’s common for modern houses to have plumbing problems, in most cases, the problems are common in old homes.
While older homes are charming, they have plumbing systems that are as old as the houses, which as you can tell, aren’t as charming as the houses.
For you to avoid buying a house and then spend thousands of dollars fixing the plumbing system, you should carefully inspect the house before you make an offer.
Check the sinks, showers, toilets, and tubs for good drainage and adequate water pressure. You also should check the condition of the septic tank. Remember to ask the seller how old the tank is.
What is the condition of the water heater? is it outdated? While an old or malfunctioning water heaters isn’t a deal breaker, it’s good to know what you are getting yourself into.
Just like when inspecting the roof, you also should ensure that you hire a professional to inspect the plumbing system.
The house is in a flood zone
When many people hear about the flood zone, they picture a house next to a beach or river. Far from this. Due to the weather unpredictability, any house can be in the flood zone even if your house is miles away from the beach. Due to this, it’s important that you know if your house is in the flood zone.
To do it you need to plug the house address into the FEMA map database. You can also go to the offices of the local municipality and take a look at the flood zone maps. If your house is in the zone, stay away from it.
The wiring system is outdated
Just like any other industry, the electric industry has changed. This means that the wires that were used decades ago are no longer in use. Modern wires are safer thus protecting you and the house from any danger.
It’s rare that you will have outdated wiring in a modern house, but if you are buying an old house, you have something to worry about. Check the wiring system. Are the wires cloth wrapped? Do you have an old-style fuse box? Chances are that you will need to have your home rewired.
The house has foundation issues
Foundation issues are complex. A poor foundation allows water to leak to the basement leading to mold infestation and costly repairs. In some cases, the seller’s agent observes that you might have to bring down the entire house.
You should look out for cracks that are wider than the width of your pinky nail. Are there cracks on the hard surface floors? Are there cracks on the drywall, especially in the corners and around the window sills? You are better off avoiding the house.
