buying your first home - what you should know

In The Market For A New Home? 4 Signs You Should Be Aware Of

If it's time to move, you want to make sure that you purchase the right home. The last thing you want to do is buy a home that ends up having hidden problems. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make sure you avoid purchasing a home that's going to be a bigger headache than it's worth. Here are four potential problems that you should be aware of while you're shopping for a new home.

There's an Overuse of Air Fresheners

If you walk into a home and you smell the strong aroma of air fresheners, you might want to take a closer look. Air fresheners can be used to mask foul odors such as mold or mildew. Step inside the closets to get a better smell of things. It's also a good idea to look inside cabinets for signs of mold growth or other issues.

The Owners Won't Let You See the Whole House

When you go to look at a home, you want to see the entire house. If there are areas of a home that are locked, or inaccessible, ask the homeowners to open those areas up for you. If they're unwilling to do so, ask if you can come back at a later time so that you can inspect the entire home. If the homeowners are still unwilling to make those accommodations for you, mark the home off your list.

There are Numerous Homes for Sale in the Neighborhood

If you're going to be relocating, and you're looking to purchase a home in an area that you're unfamiliar with, take the time to inspect the area before you make a purchase. Look to see how many homes are for sale in the area. If there are a large amount of homes to choose from, have your realtor do a closer inspection of the community. Find out if there's an underlying reason why so many people are leaving the area. There might be a problem with contamination, or the crime rate might have seen a rapid escalation. If the prices are simply too good to be true, there might be a reason for it.

The Ceilings are Textured

If the home you're looking at has textured, or popcorn, ceilings, you might want to look at other options. This is particularly true if the home was built in the early 1970s or before. Prior to the late 1970s, popcorn texturing contained asbestos. While asbestos isn't necessarily hazardous if it's left alone, once it begins to deteriorate, it can pose a serious health risk. If you want to be certain of the risk before you decide on the home, ask to have the texturing tested for asbestos.

Now that you're in the market for a new home, don't get stuck with a headache. The tips provided here will help you avoid serious problems. For more information, contact companies like Watson Inspections.


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