Latest / Military Real Estate Rookie Show / Home Buying Red Flags
Transcript
- 0:00SPEAKER_00: Hello everyone.
- 0:01SPEAKER_00: Welcome to back to the Military Real Estate Ricky Show.
- 0:05SPEAKER_00: It's your girl Rena, Rena Barron.
- 0:07SPEAKER_00: Today's topic is a topic that all home buyers should listen to.
- 0:12SPEAKER_00: These are the red flags.
- 0:14SPEAKER_00: So as a military retiree and a real estate professional, I'm here to help you guide through all those questionable home buying procedures.
- 0:25SPEAKER_00: And these are some of the home the house hunting red flags.
- 0:30SPEAKER_00: A beautiful home can sometimes hide expensive problems.
- 0:34SPEAKER_00: The last thing you want to do is fall in love with a property only to discover major issues after closing.
- 0:41SPEAKER_00: In today's episode, I'll share the biggest red flags I look for when showing homes to my clients and during your own home shirts.
- 0:49SPEAKER_00: Let's dive in.
- 0:50SPEAKER_00: Okay, red flag number one: water damage.
- 0:53SPEAKER_00: Water damage is one of the biggest warning signs in real estate.
- 0:57SPEAKER_00: When touring a home, pay attention to water stains on the ceilings, soft spots in the floors, bubbling paint, mold mildew spells, damp basements.
- 1:09SPEAKER_00: If you notice a musty odor, don't ignore it.
- 1:13SPEAKER_00: Water problems can lead to costly repairs, mold, and even structural issues.
- 1:18SPEAKER_00: Remember, fresh paint doesn't always mean a home has been updated.
- 1:23SPEAKER_00: Sometimes fresh paint is used to cover water damage.
- 1:26SPEAKER_00: Red flag number two, foundation issues.
- 1:30SPEAKER_00: The foundation is literally what holds the house together.
- 1:34SPEAKER_00: Watch for large cracks in the wall, doors that won't close property, uneven floors, cracks in the foundation, windows that stick, minor minor settling in common areas in many homes.
- 1:48SPEAKER_00: However, major foundation problems can cost thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
- 1:55SPEAKER_00: If you notice any of these issues, make sure you do an inspection.
- 2:00SPEAKER_00: You have to pay for this.
- 2:01SPEAKER_00: You have to pay close attention to it as well.
- 2:04SPEAKER_00: Red flag number three, roof problems.
- 2:07SPEAKER_00: The roof protects everything underneath it.
- 2:10SPEAKER_00: Ask yourself: does the roof look old?
- 2:13SPEAKER_00: Are the shingles missing missing?
- 2:15SPEAKER_00: Is there a sagging anywhere?
- 2:18SPEAKER_00: Are there signs of leak in the attic?
- 2:20SPEAKER_00: Replacing a roof can be expensive.
- 2:23SPEAKER_00: Many buyers focus on the granite countertops and forget about the lookup.
- 2:29SPEAKER_00: A beautiful kitchen won't matter if the rain is leaking into your home.
- 2:34SPEAKER_00: Red flag number four.
- 2:36SPEAKER_00: Electrical issues.
- 2:38SPEAKER_00: Electrical problems can be dangerous.
- 2:42SPEAKER_00: Be alert.
- 2:43SPEAKER_00: Flickering lights, exposed wires, burn marks near outlets, outdated electrical panels, too many extensive cards.
- 2:52SPEAKER_00: These signs may indicate the home electronic system is not working and needs updating.
- 2:58SPEAKER_00: Always have a licensed professional evaluate those concerns.
- 3:02SPEAKER_00: Red flag number five, poor maintenance.
- 3:05SPEAKER_00: One of the biggest clues about a home condition is how well it's been maintained.
- 3:10SPEAKER_00: If a homeowner ignores small repair, there may be a large hidden problem.
- 3:15SPEAKER_00: Look for broken fixtures, peeling paint, damaged gutters, neglected landscaping, unfinished repairs, and lack of maintenance often tells the story.
- 3:26SPEAKER_00: Red flag number six, the neighborhood.
- 3:29SPEAKER_00: Remember this important real estate rule.
- 3:32SPEAKER_00: You can change a house, but you cannot change its location.
- 3:37SPEAKER_00: Visit the neighborhood during the day, at night, on the weekends, on the weekday.
- 3:43SPEAKER_00: Pay attention to traffic, noise, nearby businesses, property upkeep, future development.
- 3:52SPEAKER_00: The house may be perfect, but the neighborhood must fit your lifestyle.
- 3:57SPEAKER_00: Red flag number seven, price too too low.
- 4:01SPEAKER_00: If a home seems significantly cheaper than similar homes nearby, that's why.
- 4:06SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's a great opportunity.
- 4:08SPEAKER_00: Other times it may be structural issues, title problems, major repairs, environmental concerns.
- 4:15SPEAKER_00: Always investigate before assuming you found a bargain because that could put you at risk.
- 4:22SPEAKER_00: Okay, so as a real estate professional, I've seen buyers become so excited about home appearance that they overlook serious warning signs.
- 4:32SPEAKER_00: That's why I always encourage my clients to slow down and focus on home conditions, not just its cosmetics.
- 4:40SPEAKER_00: The goal is simply to buy a house, a home.
- 4:43SPEAKER_00: The goal isn't to buy the right home house.
- 4:46SPEAKER_00: Okay?
- 4:47SPEAKER_00: So if you remember only one thing during this episode, remember this.
- 4:53SPEAKER_00: Never skip the home inspection.
- 4:57SPEAKER_00: Never skip the home inspection.
- 5:00SPEAKER_00: And the inspection may reveal issues that could save you thousands of dollars and help you make a smart buying decision.
- 5:07SPEAKER_00: Knowledge is power in real estate.
- 5:10SPEAKER_00: Okay, so if today's episode helped you, please subscribe to the Military Real Estate Ricky show and leave a review.
- 5:18SPEAKER_00: Your review helped more military families, veterans, and first-time home buyers find this show.
- 5:25SPEAKER_00: Also, share this episode with someone currently house hunting.
- 5:29SPEAKER_00: Until next time, remember, how homeownership is just about it's not just about finding a place to live, it's about building a legacy.
- 5:37SPEAKER_00: I'm Rena Barron and I'll see you on the next episode.
- 5:40SPEAKER_00: And remember, before you buy a home, look for these three red flags: water damage, foundation cracks, roof problems.
- 5:51SPEAKER_00: These three issues alone could cost you thousands of dollars after you close.
- 5:57SPEAKER_00: Okay, please check me out at Renabaron Real Estate at gmail.com or on Instagram at RenaBarron Real Estate.
- 6:06SPEAKER_00: And I'll see you on the next episode.
- 6:09SPEAKER_00: Ciao.