Kari McCoy commentary: Red flags to look for when buying a home

Question: Dear Kari, My husband and I are going to be buying our first home. We are definitely excited! Our concern is, we have heard devastating stories how buyers have purchased a nightmare of a home with endless underlying problems. Could you please offer us some advice to help us out? Answer: Thanks for your popular question. The idea of becoming a homeowner is very exciting and the largest purchase ever for most folks. We should all understand that no home is perfect (unless brand new) and sometimes not even then. That being said, there will always be tradeoffs and compromises to be taken under consideration when buying a home, such as a smaller lot or one-car garage, or it could be the roof is old. Items like these are usually reflected in the asking price of the home. Let's first take a close look at the definition of a red flag in real estate. It does not mean do not buy this property, nor does it suggest I cannot sell this property. What it does mean is stop and consider the impact to you, if you move forward. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homebuyer, it is always wise to look beyond the granite tile and fluffy staging of a home and pay close attention to the meat and potatoes of a home. Keep your eyes wide open for these real estate red flags: ● Problems or cracks in foundation. ● Termite and or dry rot damage. ● Stains on walls or ceilings. ● Electrical system issues. ● Random fresh paint. ● Pest and or insect problems. ● Three layers of roofing. ● Mold. ● "As-Is" property sale. ● Poor overall neighborhood conditions. ● The yard slopes toward the home. ● Odder inside or outside the home. ● Structural wall or floors have been removed. ● Deferred property maintenance. ● Sagging of ceiling or roof. ● The price is unbelievably low price. ● Sloping and or uneven floors. ● The buyer's agent is also the seller's agent. ● Bulges or cracks larger than one-third inch. ● Improper ventilation in the crawl space or attic. ● Poor drainage or standing water. ● Plumbing issues. ● Doors and windows do not close properly. ● The house goes back on the market several times. ● Too much scent in the home. ● Leaning chimney. Now we can realize there are many areas of a home to pay close attention to. Be wise and always have a professional certified home inspection on any home you are considering buying. He or she will provide a written report and include color pictures to help you understand further. Also, good to know your home inspector will advise you on items that are normal and typical of how a home performs. You might want to ask your Realtor to recommend a few home inspectors and you could chat with them on the phone before you hire one for your home inspection. I hope this has been helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your home search! Kari McCoy has been a Realtor for 30-plus years and owns the Kari McCoy Group Residential Real Estate at Lyon's Real Estate. Call her at 916-933-5274 or email her at sold@karimccoygroup.com. License#00814588