6 Red Flags to Look for when Buying an Older Home
1. Mold
This is a dirty word in the world of real estate. Most of us realtors refrain from saying this unless we are absolutely positive that is there is mold present in the home. If you believe there could be mold, it should be tested first before making that declaration. If there is an alarming smell, a known leak, or even what appears to be visible evidence of mold- there are ways to test it and find out. There are mold kits you can purchase from Amazon or Home Depot as well as, calling a professional company to come out and perform an air test sample in the home. If it is mold, don’t worry- it can be remediated by a professional company.
2. Structural
Structural or foundation issues in a house can be extremely costly to a homebuyer. You will need to hire a professional who specializes in these inspections if you’re concerned about there being any issues. Structural problems have to do with, how the home was built and it becomes a major red flag when these problems arise, know what you’re up against before buying the home.
3. Grading
The grading of the house simply refers to how level a home sits on the property and how water drains from it. Does it sit high up on a hill and the land slopes away from the property? Or does it sit tucked away lower than the rest of the homes on the block and the land is sloping toward house? Generally, you want a home to be graded in a way that prevents water from getting inside the house. That’s the whole point in having shelter, right- to keep us out of the elements. Just because a home sits on a property where the land is sloping towards it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy that house either…it still could be graded it such a way to prevent water from coming in the house.
4. Roof
When you have a home inspection, get an estimate on the age of the roof. It’s a major expense and something you want to plan for if the roof will need to be replaced. Sometimes the age of the roof will be in the disclosures but not it’s not guaranteed. Be sure to check the attic for any signs of water leaks.
5. Trees and Landscaping
I know this seems kind of an odd thing to look at when buying a house, but it really can make a difference on whether the home is the right place for you or not. Hear me out; the amount of acres or square feet your yard is will determine just how much maintenance, time and money it will take to upkeep the property. Obviously, the larger the property the more expensive and time consuming it will be to maintain. Homes surrounded by large trees could fall during a big storm or have massive roots that interfere with the foundation of the property if it sits close enough to the home. Have it checked out before you purchase the house if this is a concern. Also, keep landscaping trimmed and neat and avoid touching the house and some plants can be a hotbed for pests and insects.
6. Pests and Termites
Are there an unusual amount of rodent droppings everywhere in the home? Hopefully not, but if there are, there could be a rodent problem in the home. Inspect the exterior of the home for any openings and sources of food that might drive rodents and pests to the property. If there are active colonies of termites and carpenter ants, they will need to be eradicated by a professional extermination company, those types of insects could destroy the home.