Photo: Realtor.com
Sellers are required by law to disclose any problems or issues within their home upon the time of sale. But it’s no surprise that some conveniently ‘forget’ things or tell white lies about what they write on the Seller’s Property Disclosure. We always recommend buyers to do their own due diligence and not rely solely on what the sellers disclose. Of course buyers must take into account what the sellers have disclosed, but looking with their own eyes for problem areas is highly suggested!
Whether it’s your first time searching for a new home or you’re a seasoned home owner, knowing the top problems sellers try to cover up when listing their home is crucial. During home showings look for these top three things sellers try to hide.
1. Water damage
Stains from water aren’t just ugly, but they’re also a major sign of a problem. Water stains mean that something somewhere is leaking and whether big or small, it’s a problem. Water damage is fairly easy for home sellers to hide, which is bad news for buyers. Often times water damage can be covered up with a fresh coat of paint, or strategically hidden by staging and furniture. Always keep an eye out for water damage and peek behind furniture during showings, just to be sure! If the listing had just recently been painted, score for you, but also be aware they may have painted to cover up some things. So, keep that in mind.
2. A faulty foundation
If you’re walking through a home and notice any window or door frame gaps or zigzag cracks in the wall, be aware this could be from a faulty or unstable foundation. Sellers will try to hide the cracks or separation with more caulking and paint. Foundation issues can cause doors and cabinets to not shut properly and can cause beams to stress and break. The damage of a faulty foundation could be serious and very expensive to fix, it can also result in a poor appraisal value, which will effect your loan and future resale value.
3. Weird temperature changes
Different temperatures throughout a home could mean there is poor insulation in part of the house. This is sometimes caused from owner’s building additions and not insulating them properly. Tapping into your senses while walking through the home and noting the different atmospheres is a good idea. Cold bathrooms, hot bedrooms or a musky basement are all signs of poor insulation or air movement, too. Knowing the signs ahead of time could save you money in the future.
Buyers beware- make notes (either mentally or in writing) about things within the home that are potential problems. Every home is going to have some sort of problem, but it’s up to the buyers to make the decision as to what is too much. If you are ever concerned or have questions about things be sure to ask your realtor. They deal with problems every single day and they will have some good advice on what to do about specific ones, which ones to worry about and which ones to not stress over. They are the professionals, so use their advice and just ask. It could be really beneficial for you in the long run.
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