Signs To Look For When Purchasing A Home

When you’re scouting available properties for a new home, it helps to know what you’re looking to find. It may be more helpful to know what you’re “not” looking to find while scouting for a new, structurally sound home.

Educate yourself, so your search for a forever home doesn’t turn up lemons. Here is a brief summary, featuring some signs you should watch out for while on the hunt for your next place to call home.

Cracks in the walls or foundation

Cracks in the walls or foundation or a prospective home aren’t always a deal-breaker, but they are always a cause for concern. You shouldn’t purchase a home with visible cracks in the foundation or walls without a proper home inspection.

If you notice problems in the foundation of a home, there is likely a temperature and/or moisture issue present. A thorough check of the interior and exterior of the base of the home will present the whole picture.

Tiny holes in the drywall or wood

Look around your prospective property for little collections of tiny holes in wood or drywall. The holes may look benign, but they’re anything but a simple fix.

These tiny holes are a sign that the home may be struggling with an infestation of flying termites. Paying for the full process of ridding a home of a termite infestation can get expensive. You may want to pass on a home with this challenge ahead.

Doors that won’t close

While you’re exploring a home you may purchase, notice whether or not the doors close with ease. If you have to pull up on handles to get the doors to latch properly, there may be a bigger issue to consider.

The structural form of the home may have shifted, causing the door frames to be misaligned. If you notice this issue, it needs to be explored before you invest in the place.

You notice a slope in the floor

It’s not always easily noticed when a floor is sloping in a home, so you could miss this warning sign of trouble. Bring a marble with you while you check out prospective places, and do a roll test when no one is watching. A sloped floor could mean a costly repair in the near future.

Heavy white residue on a brick chimney

If you’re scanning a home and find white residue buildup on the bricks of the chimney, you may want to inspect further. Don’t worry about the actual residue, but consider the cause. If the residue is heavy, it can be a sign of damage in the lining of the chimney’s flue.

Slow drainage throughout the house

If you find a slow draining sink or a stopped up shower drain, there’s likely no reason to worry. However, if there is slow drainage throughout the home, you could have a more expensive problem to fix.