Buying a house is often a long and tedious process. If it seems to easy, then you’re probably doing something wrong. Since a home is the most significant expense you can make in your lifetime, it’s only right that you be critical every step of the way lest you end up with a bad deal.
Thus, here are the signs that you should back out of a house deal before you make a big and costly decision:
1. There are major damage issues
According to most mortgage refinancing lenders, buying a home without conducting a thorough inspection is like putting decades’ worth of income at risk. A home inspection will tell you if there are major damage problems in the house, such as sagging roofs, foundation issues, and rotting floors. While significant damage does not automatically make the deal a no-go, a home inspection can give you an idea of how much it will cost to fix the damage.
With a figure in mind, you can decide if the cost of repairs on top of the purchase price will still make sense in the end. If it doesn’t, it’s a clear sign that you should walk away from the deal.
2. There are a lot of things you have to replace
The roof is 15 years old, the appliances are from two decades ago, and the HVAC system hasn’t been repaired in forever. But the home is otherwise fine. So should you still push through with the deal?
Replacing major parts of the home can quickly rack up costs. When added to the purchase price, you might either find out that it’s a bad deal or an opportunity to renovate a home with good bones. If the expenses are too large, however, it can be better to find another house.
3. The house has paperwork issues
Getting documents in order can also be an expensive process, not to mention a tedious one. Check if the house you’re eyeing has title issues that might be a problem later on, as well as liens on the property that might still be unpaid. There might also be children who own a portion of the property through an estate but cannot be found. In any case, agreeing to buy a property with paperwork issues can become an expensive headache later on.
4. The house might be contaminated
Scrutinize the house and see if you spot any signs of harmful contaminants, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold, to name a few. Keep in mind that these problems can be difficult and expensive to address, and therefore might not be in your best interests if you have a set budget.
To determine if the house is contaminated, hire a specialist who can conduct inspections for harmful contaminants, specifically.
5. The price is suspiciously low
The house seems to be in good shape, the neighborhood is excellent, and the seller is offering you a low price on the property. For some people, a low cost means an instant deal. But think about it–why is the seller selling their house for cheap if there’s nothing wrong with it?
Sure, there may be homeowners who are willing to sell their property at a lower price to get rid of it as soon as possible, but this is not always the case. If they tell you that they want to sell the house fast and are willing to accept a low offer, don’t believe them right away. Find out what’s wrong with the house to entail such a low price. There’s always something, be it a faulty septic system or an attic that’s falling apart.
6. You don’t like the neighborhood
So you’ve found the perfect house that’s within your budget, but you can’t see yourself liking the neighborhood–much less the neighbors. The location might be too far from your job, there might be too many dogs in the area, or your potential neighbors are downright unpleasant from the first impression alone.
Keep in mind that you’re going to be spending years in this neighborhood if you buy the house. So if the community and its occupants are not up to your standards, it’s better to walk away from the deal no matter how perfect it might be.
When you buy a house, there is bound to be something wrong with it. Noisy neighbors, leaky faucets, subpar finish: problems like these and more can make or break a house deal. And it’s up to you to decide if dealing with the property’s issues is worth the price.
Meta title: Signs that You Should Walk Away from a House Deal
Meta description: That house might not be as perfect as it seems. Here are the signs that a house deal just isn’t right for you.