15 Warning Signs You Should Look For When Buying A New Home

15 Warning Signs For New Homeowners:

What to look for before buying a new house.

There’s nothing scarier than buying a new home… oh wait, there is! Buying a home without proper maintenance, a broken foundation, horrific odors and many, many more issues. These warning signs for homebuyers should be at the top of your list!

With all the paperwork, time, and cash involved there’s no telling what could go wrong. Of course, there are hundreds of things to check before jumping into a transaction as a brand-new homeowner, but Texas Secure Title Company has compiled a short list that will save you a headache later down the road.

1. All That Glitters Is Not Gold

Fresh paint smell, shiny new carpet, door handles replace… It’s what we like to call the realtor remodel combo.

Sellers have a knack for making everything seem nice for a quick 15-minute walk through but don’t be fooled. Look at the tiles, grout, ceiling. Also, quick tip: drive around the neighborhood at night to make sure it’s a safe environment for your family.

2. Rain Rain, Don’t Go Away?

Everyone thinks that rainy days are the WORST days to go to an open house, but this might be something you might want to reconsider next time. This is the perfect time to see water build up, leaks, and how the environment looks when it’s not picture perfect.

3. PIZZA PIZZA!

Are you a pizza or your family pizza fanatics? There is nothing worse than moving into a new home… settling in after a tough week of moving… and… you have to go pick up your own pizza. Check your local pizza shops to make sure deliveries are possible.

4. What’s in The Attic?

People buy houses and never check the actual AC or attic. If you go up there and smell a burnt smell, or see big silvery tubes that look crumpled, those are issues.

5. Smells Good!

If you walk into a house and are hit by the smell of Febreeze or air fresheners…well, expect that it probably smells like dogs or smoke when that stuff wears off.

Bear in mind that a lot of agents like to burn pretty smelling candles or bake some cookies right before an open house, so it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. You mostly want to watch out for it if you’re seeing it by appointment.

6. Heads Up!

The first thing we recommend looking at is the roof.

It will be the first thing your guests will notice and of course those pesky insurance adjustors. (most first-time home buyers can’t afford to replace it in the first couple years, and many older homeowners would rather not either).

7. Step on A Crack – Break Your Mother’s Back

We’ve been to multiple open houses where there was a huge crack in the foundation running from the floor, diagonally across the entire foundation and up to the ceiling. It was like an Earthquake had just occurred. This could be the most expensive repair cost by far.

8. A Magician Never Reveals His Secrets

When the sellers have stuff hung on the walls in places no one would EVER hang stuff, they may be covering up damage from a decade-long termite infestation.

9. “Don’t Look In The Basement!”

If they don’t let you see a particular room/attic, basement etc for some excuse this could potentially be a RED-FLAG. Please allow the homeowners to make the proper arrangements to be able to show the entire house. You wouldn’t buy a car without looking in the backseat right?

10. Let It Snow

If you are viewing houses in the winter and there are a lot of icicles on the roof it’s not properly insulated. This can be a little harder to notice during the summer months but once an offer is made – please please please schedule a roof inspection and allow for the proper maintenance to be done.

11. You Are My Sunshine

I used to live in a house that had shadow from the other homes and trees on the other side. Barely got any sunlight. And it was always so cold. Don’t let this happen to you. Are you a warm body? Do you need constant sunshine? Be sure to look at the shading around the area. Will you be able to build hedges? Cut down trees? 

12. Can You Hear Me Now?

PLEASE check your cell phone signal in the house.

We get plenty of homeowners who bought the “perfect” house for them – only to realize they have to change cell phone services because they can’t reach a signal bar without climbing to the roof, standing on a chair and balancing on a basketball.

13. Built in Pool?

If the ground slopes towards the house, then that means any rain is just going to be funneled right up to your foundation and can cause some big problems.  Seriously, when you’re looking at a house do a walk around the perimeter first. Could save you tens of thousands and future foundation problems, these are usually big warning signs for homebuyers.

14. Did You Try Turning it Off and On Again?

Be sure to test all appliances that are staying with the house.

Ice maker, dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal, stove, washer/dryer, etc.

Nothing worse than spending so much money to get into a house only to realize half the appliances don’t work properly.

15. To Clean or Not to Clean?

Did the homeowners bother to clean for the showing?

If you walk into a dirty house they are actively trying to sell, the sellers are likely neglecting lots of basic upkeep on appliances, the yard, etc. Warning signs for homebuyers you should look for!