Don’t Let Your Dream Home Turn Into a Nightmare

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Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

When looking for the ideal home, it’s important to take steps to avoid inadvertently purchasing a problem home. From collapsing building materials to an unpleasant neighborhood, many issues could unexpectedly arise that homeowners don’t encounter until after they’ve committed to the move.

The following are some ways to avoid these issues and ensure that homebuyers make the right choice early on in the buying process.

Visit the Property in Person

One big mistake that people can make when buying a new home is not visiting it before agreeing to buy it. Images in online listings may look appealing, but they can be extremely deceptive. Like other marketing materials, it’s possible to make the home seem better than it is with well-shot and manipulative photos. For example, an image might show what looks like an incredible foyer, but what the image won’t show is the unrepaired water damage to surrounding areas or the view people have of the main bathroom from the front door.

Images may also neglect to show what the area is like, including how far the home is from the train tracks or airport, only for homeowners to discover that the noise is far louder than they anticipated.

To avoid any of these potential pitfalls, prospective home buyers should always visit the home in person and get a feel for it before making any kind of commitment.

Get a Professional Home Inspection

Before purchasing a home, it’s always in the prospective buyer’s best interests to have an inspection performed. In most cases, the buyer would cover the home inspection throughout the escrow period, which could be around $500. A professional inspection can help identify any potentially serious problems before they become even bigger issues after buying the home.

Homebuyers can visit the American Society of Home Inspectors website. There, they’ll be able to look for an inspector local to the new home. This inspector will be able to take a look at the home on the buyer’s behalf, which is especially crucial if the home is a long-distance purchase.

Take Extra Steps to Avoid a Bad Buy

If homebuyers want to avoid any possible problems before buying a new home, they need to perform their due diligence. Potential issues could entail structural damage to the home that isn’t disclosed to incorrect assessments that warrant property tax appeals.

Buyers should assemble a team of inspectors to cover nearly every inch of the home when assessing it. In the process, buyers who are unable to attend the inspection in person could get on a live video call with inspectors, who may be able to stream the inspection via Zoom or other channels.

Through a live inspection with a small team, the buyer can ask questions along the way and get a better feel for the look and condition of the home, along with the surrounding neighborhood. This could ultimately give the buyer a clear window into the home without the need for them to physically be there.

Although many homes may not be worth buying due to their poor condition, homebuyers should also keep in mind that homes are rarely perfect upon purchase and often qualify as fixer-uppers worth the investment. On the other hand, a thorough inspection can help confirm that the home won’t be a nightmare purchase.