Buying a house is stressful. You want to make sure you’re finding the house that’s right for you and your family while buying something that’s going to be reliable and not end up as a money pit. At Reliable Properties, we have a few signs you’ll want to look out for when shopping houses for sale in the Capital Region.

Moldy or musty smell

Someone trying to sell their home will go great lengths to ensure the house doesn’t have any odd smells. Burning candles, spraying disinfectants, or using scented plugins are popular methods to cover old smells. However, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to be blind to the smell of their home because they’ve gotten used to it. If you notice a moldy or musty smell when you walk into a home, it’s probably a sign that there’s a mold problem somewhere that hasn’t been addressed. Rather than chalking it up to the home being old, avoid the house because you’ll probably be the one who has to pay to fix the mold and any other damage associated with it.

Doors that don’t close

It’s a good idea to close doors behind you as you walk through a house. You’ll be able to see whether or not they close properly. Doors that don’t close can be a sign that the door frame has shifted somehow. Even if doors do close properly, look to ensure the top and bottom corners are perfectly square. You can often see if there’s been a part of the door shaved off to make it fit properly into the door frame, which is a temporary solution to a long-term problem.

DIY additions

It’s great when people can do their own additions, but they’re not always the best they can be. Some DIYers will cut corners here and there to reduce the costs of their project or don’t have the necessary knowledge and tools to do professional-quality work.

Not only could you be at risk of having a part of the home that has shoddy workmanship, but it’s also not covered by a warranty. Different aspects of the project might be covered as the materials used have extended warranty periods, but the work itself isn’t protected. Professional contractors often guarantee their work and are licensed to use specific products to maintain manufacturer warranties. DIY additions don’t come with this protection.

Listing price doesn’t seem right

There are always going to be a few homes on the market that are priced far below market value. These homes are often tempting as you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars on the price of your home. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for in life, and houses are no different than anything else in that respect. You might be able to talk down the price of a home with your offer if there aren’t any other offers, but the list price should be consistent with the rest of the market

Fixes are all cosmetic

It’s easy to make small fixes around your house by putting some spackling paste and a coat of paint on the walls or changing out a light fixture. Look for fixes that are strictly cosmetic because they could be signs of bigger problems that haven’t been addressed. For example, a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom could be covering up water damage or mold that hasn’t been properly taken care of. Use a keen eye when walking through a home for parts of the house that don’t match the rest of the house.

Contact us for more

There are plenty more signs that you should avoid certain houses for sale in the Capital Region. Our team at Reliable Properties is experienced in buying and selling homes, so we can provide you with expert advice when shopping for your new home. Get in touch by calling 518-496-7867 or sending a message using our contact form.