Home buying warning signs.

Do you know about the two home buying warning signs listed below? With home inventory low, and the market filled with buyers, the temptation to jump on an available purchase can be strong. While there are many homes that are in perfectly good condition that would make a great buy, there are also homes that exhibit some warning signs that you should not ignore. If ignored, you could end up with a home that will cost you a great deal in maintenance costs once you move in. A home can seem like the perfect fit, but end up having unnecessary expenses for maintenance that add up. Here are two big warning signs to keep an eye out for when looking to purchase a home:

• The roof: well maintained roofs can last 20-25 years, but a poor quality, or poorly maintained one could spell disaster and call for a complete (and very costly) re-roof. Be sure to question the seller on the age of the roof and inspect the gutters carefully to make sure they are in good working order. Also, keep an eye out for dry rot, which is often caused by poor ventilation. A good home inspector should make you aware of any roofing problems the home may have. If you are still unsure, it cannot hurt to hire a quality roofer to inspect the roof. Replacing a roof can cost 20,000 – 30,000 dollars, so it is truly important to make sure you know its condition. An option could be to buy a home with a new room and pay the extra money during the initial purchase.
• Bad plumbing: Plumbing is one of the most important parts of your home and making sure your plumbing system is in good health is critical to a smart home purchase. Some plumbing problems are readily apparent; water stains, sagging floors and mildew can be easy to spot signs of poor plumbing. However, more costly plumbing problems, such as a poor septic tank are much tougher to spot. Be sure to run the water in the kitchen and bathrooms and be sure to flush the toilets to see that they drain properly and have a good amount of pressure. Have a plumber or your home inspector conduct a thorough sewer inspection to check for breakages in pipes.

While we listed only two home buying warning signs, there are many others. That’s why it is imperative to always use a reliable home inspector to thoroughly evaluate your home. Always look through the house and do more than one inspection to be sure before you make one of the biggest purchases in your life. If you are unsure about something specific, such as an electrical problem, make sure to call in someone with expertise in that area. This will go a long way in making your home purchase decision a smart one.