Between the excitement of purchasing a new home and some subtle staging tricks, many potential buyers end up wearing rose colored glasses. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a home that smells like freshly baked cookies 24/7? Part of doing your due diligence, however, includes separating the home from the frills. Keep an eye out for these 10 open house red flags.
1. The open house mood music is a little too loud
Press pause on the soundtrack of your potential future here! Background music effectively covers everything from traffic to noisy neighbors. Many buyers can’t stand a particularly loud property so, if you did buy, you could have trouble selling down the line.
2. Candles, diffusers and air freshener
A little fragrance goes a long way, so make sure those freshly baked cookies aren’t covering up sewage, gas, cigarette or pet odors. While cigarette smell may fade over time, replacing a septic tank is a costly repair. Determine which smells are frustrating and which are downright deal breaking.
3. The paint is fresh
A fresh coat of paint may seem like a nice touch, but if it’s localized, it could be covering visible water damage. Sellers may opt to quickly cover the evidence rather than take the time to properly find and fix the leak. If you can still smell fresh paint, dig a little deeper.
4. The furniture is fun-sized
Staging can be sneaky! Light walls, mirrors, two-person bistro tables and miniature loveseats trick your eye into seeing the space as larger than it really is. Also, consider the fact that staged homes typically feature only the fun stuff, not the essentials. The bedroom may seem open and airy, but is there enough room for your extra-large dresser? Ask for measurements and do the math to determine how your furniture will fit.
5. All the lights are on
Realtors often switch the lights on before a potential buyer arrives, but see how the home looks without. How much natural light gets in? Will your plants survive? Is there a sunny spot your cat could curl up in? If natural light is important to you, mountains, buildings or other unmovable objects blocking the sun should set off alarm bells.
6. The neighbors aren’t your speed
See what you can learn about the neighbors and their properties. Cluttered and unattended yards could hinder your home’s value, or there could be a lifestyle conflict. Does the neighborhood tend to stay up late, or mow before the crack of dawn? If so, could you cope? Remember, if this home is forever, there’s a good chance your neighbors will be too.
7. There’s a large tree in the yard
Roots can cause structural damage and pose a threat during natural disasters or inclement weather. Depending on the health of the tree, you may also have to coordinate removal. Get all the details on the tree and determine if the idyllic front yard featuring tire-swing is viable.
8. You see signs of structural damage
When touring an older or ‘flipped’ home, keep your eyes peeled for irregularities such as cracking bricks, improper drainage and bulging walls. Structural repairs are some of the most costly, and can’t be neglected for long.
9. The elevator takes forever
If purchasing a condo or apartment unit, time the elevator. A couple dozen floors paired with one elevator and a habitually late tenant is a recipe for disaster. While you’re evaluating, investigate all amenities available to owners. Which will you use and which are just excessive?
10. Noticeable DIY fixes
While the DIY movement is gaining traction, think about what a professional job is worth to you. If the doors are uneven, the grout is patchy or the cabinets look homemade, there may be more issues that haven’t been evaluated by a professional. With an investment as significant as a home, some buyers may rightfully shy away from DIY updates.
There’s a chance those freshly baked cookies are just a kindness, and your little loveseat may be right at home. But, red flags or not, be sure to get a home inspection. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Published on October 14, 2019
