The process of buying a home is not as easy as most people think; you might buy a house and then regret the decision in future. The truth is; many sellers are not always honest about the problems you’ll encounter on their property, considering that their main aim is to sell it. Therefore, when buying a home, it’s important to know what you should look for so that you don’t end up regretting the decision in future.
Here are some of the red flags to look for:

• The status of the neighbourhood

When buying a home, it’s important to know the condition of the area you are moving into, i.e., the safety, infrastructure, sanitation, etc. If most of the homes in the neighbourhood are up for sale and they aren’t new, then that’s a sign something is wrong in that area. Therefore, you should consult the people living in the neighbourhood so that you can know more about that community.

• Poor sewage system or water drainage

While you’re on a house tour, be on the lookout for large water puddles in the foundation and most areas on the walls. If some of the places in the house are wet, then it’s likely that the roof is damaged or the pipes and slow drains might be leaking. Besides that, you also need to know whether the property is in a flood hazard zone.

• Poor maintenance

The quality of repairs done on the house and negligence of maintenance are some of the major issues you should assess before buying a home. Some sellers tend to sell their homes when they are broke, so it’s likely that there are some deferred maintenance projects in such a house. Avoid buying a house that has maintenance issues, since it might end up costing you more than you imagined.

• Foundation issues

Most home buyers rarely check the foundation of a house before buying it, yet it’s the most crucial in any building. When inspecting a house, be on the lookout for small or large cracks in the basement, on the walls, windows and door frames. If the house has large cracks on the floor, walls or ceiling, then it’s not worth the risk.

• Presence of mold and mildew

Mold and mildew grow in moist areas such as bathroom vents, attics, basements, etc. so don’t forget to inspect those areas as well. Although mold and mildew can be remedied, it poses serious health risks. If mold and mildew have infested your potential home, you need to assess the long term value of the house before buying it.