10 Red Flags to Watch For When You're Buying a Home

Building a wish list including a finished deck, central air conditioning, and other preferred features is part of the fun of buying a house. It's just as important to have a deal-breaker list with problems and shortcomings that should make you proceed with caution. 

Think twice about buying a house with any of these ten red flags.

1. Foundation Faults
   Hairline cracks can be a sign of the house settling but cracks larger than one-third inch or bulging spots often indicate a serious structural issue that's time-consuming and costly to repair. In addition, if the yard slopes toward the house, the foundation could be vulnerable to water damage.
   
   
2. Pest Infestations
   While viewing a home, you spot a creepy-crawly or flying invaders such as an ant or fly. How can you be sure it's a random sighting? If you're seriously considering such a house, get peace of mind with a pest inspection first.
   
   
3. Mold
   Everyone has heard at least one horror story about a homeowner's struggle with mold. Even if visible mold has been eliminated, there's no guarantee that the conditions creating the mold have been resolved. Don't put your family's health at risk.
   
   
4. Poor Electrical Wiring
   Test overhead lights, garbage disposals, ceiling fans and anything else that operates off the electrical system. Take a phone charger along when touring homes so you can check the outlets.
   
   
5. Fresh or Spotty Paint
   A quick paint job is an inexpensive and easy cosmetic fix homeowners sometimes use to make the house seem up-to-date. Pay attention to kitchen counters, bathroom tiles and other decor features to see if they look outdated. Spotty paint is more cause for concern as it may be hiding damages.
   
   
6. Messy, Cluttered Interior
   If someone can't be bothered to clean up their home at a time it should be displayed at its best, chances are good they're equally careless when it comes to major maintenance and repairs. On the other hand, has a homeowner kept you from viewing the basement or master bedroom because "it's a mess right now?" Flags don't get any redder than that.
   
   
7. Foggy or Broken Windows and Doors
   Condensation inside double-paned windows generally indicates a worn seal, which is likely to result in higher energy bills. Open and close all windows and doors to see if they function properly without sticking.
   
   
8. Unpleasant Odors
   Foul smells inside a home could be the result of problems such as mold or rotting wood, or they could be the by-product of bad housekeeping, Either one is a situation you want to avoid when buying a house. On the flip side, overpowering air freshener smells may be an attempt to cover up funkier ones.
   
   
9. "As-Is"
   "As-Is" is another way of saying, "Buyer Beware." A responsible homeowner makes a good-faith effort to present their house in livable condition. When a homeowner offers a home as-is, they're essentially washing their hands of any problems, which are no doubt numerous.
   
   
10. Shabby Neighborhood
    When you're buying a house, it doesn't exist in a vacuum. Are the surrounding homes neat and well-kept, or do you see overgrown lawns and peeling paint? Even if you have a high tolerance, a run-down neighborhood will negatively impact your home's resale value.

Buying a house is an emotional experience. Don't let yourself be dazzled by lots of bells and whistles. Take a clear-eyed look at the whole picture, good and bad, when choosing your future home.

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