It’s important to be thorough when you are looking for a new home because the last thing you want is to buy a house that is filled with hidden problems. You’ll end up spending a lot of money on repairs in a few months when all of the problems make themselves known.
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers will try to hide issues before they show people around so they can make a quick sale and push everything through before you notice. That’s why you need to have your wits about you and make sure you identify any hidden problems. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to help you spot them.
Unearthing Hidden Problems
Check For Recent Decorating
One thing that often happens is a seller will put in a lot of work redecorating the home. This makes it look nice when you first see it. That’s great but, in some cases, there’s a good chance the owner has done so to not disclose hidden problems.
This may include anything from water damage to damage from animals. If they have painted the whole house in neutral colors, that’s nothing to worry about. But if you notice they have only painted certain walls or only a single room, that is cause for concern. The likelihood is that they’re covering something up with the paint, so make sure to ask them about it.
Be Wary Of Sellers That Try To Rush Things
There are some sellers who will try to rush things and push you for an answer as soon as possible. If they want you to make a decision within days and seem desperate, that’s a red flag. It could be they have put an offer in on another property and if they don’t convince people to buy this house quickly, they’ll lose out on their new house.
However, it could just mean that there are a lot of hidden problems with the house and they just want to rush the sale through before you notice anything is wrong. So, don’t let people pressure you, and make sure you check the property thoroughly.
Get A Residential Survey Done
It’s a good idea to get a professional survey done on the house you’re looking at. This will cost you some money but, in return, it should tell you what problems there are with the property. It should give you an idea of any areas that may need repairs and help you to spot things like dampness and water damage.
A residential land surveyor will also be able to let you know about the size of the home as well as if any parts of it have been extended or altered and any legal issues surrounding the property. That way, you know exactly what condition the house is in before you buy it.
View The House At Different Times Of Day for Hidden Problems
If you can, it’s a good idea to view the property during the day and at night. This will let you see how well-lit different rooms are and if there is an issue with noise at night. If people seem reluctant to let you see the property at night, that’s a big red flag and they’re probably hiding something.
These are all good ways to pick up on those hidden problems when viewing a property.