If You're Planning On Getting A House, Then Here Are 30 Red Flags That You Definitely Shouldn't Ignore

Concerned real estate agents and homeowners on Reddit are determined to help people avoid crucial mistakes that can leave them in regret after buying a house.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• November 8, 2021

Purchasing a home is unquestionably one of the most significant life events that anyone will ever experience. It's a wonderful feeling to own your own home, but the process of attempting to get a property always comes with a lot of anxiety and considerations to take into account.

One of the most significant aspects of home-buying is conducting comprehensive research and reading up on the red flags that real estate brokers give off while trying to sell the property to clients. Some of these things are small and should be taken with a grain of salt, while others can indicate something more serious.

You wouldn't take a car without checking the odometer—you'd want to know how much you're going to pay for it before buying it. The same thing applies to houses: before committing yourself emotionally and financially to a property, it's important to know what you're getting yourself into.

Fortunately, a few threads on Reddit have been set up by concerned real estate agents and homeowners, giving the most significant red flags when shopping for a home that one should absolutely consider. They want potential buyers everywhere to consider their compelling advice.

The following are a few of the more intriguing suggestions we were able to obtain.

1. Pizza delivery no-go zones."

2. "Built to code."

3. "Go to showings when it's rainy as heck, then check out the basement."

4. Bang on the walls and listen for movements.

5. "Fresh paint, new carpet, but nothing else updated."

6. If you're viewing houses in winter, a large amount of icicles on the roof is not a good sign.

7. Always check the attic.

8. Don't be fooled by air fresheners and Febreeze.

9. "Never get upset at a nosey wife when looking at buying a house."

10. "Just because it's not on the water doesn't mean the property is flood-free."

11. When sellers hang stuff in awkward palaces, they might be hiding something.

12. Five tips in one.

13. "Check your cell phone signal in the house."

14. "Night trains and flight paths."

15. "If they don't let you see a particular room/attic, basement, etc., for some excuse."

16. Does your home get enough sunlight?

17. "When you see even the family of 10 rats moving out as well."

18. "Look out for a seller who likes to do DIY home improvements."

19. "The house has a mold issue."

20. Pay attention to the roof and furnace.

21. "Grading. Hands down. Or, the angle at which the ground slopes at the foundation of the house."

22. "Plug in the address to the state/local sex offender registry."

23. How long has the house been on the market?

24. "Visit the neighborhood late at night."

25. "Take what the real estate agent says with a grain of salt."

26. "You can fix the house, but you can't fix the location."

27. Inspect the exterior and interior properly.

28. "Check whether the basement finish was permitted."

29. "Read the termite paperwork very carefully."

30. "What is the historical data regarding floods and other catastrophic weather events?"

When it comes to buying a home, many factors can affect the process. The most important thing you should remember is not to be in a rush and do your research before making any decisions.

Whether you're going through the process for the first time or have been in it many times before, these tips can help make sure that you don't end up regretting your decision later down the road.

Have any of these common mistakes happened to you? If so, what did you do about it? Let us know in the comments.

Jesse