Buying a house is supposed to be a fun and exciting time. Unfortunately, because of all that excitement, we can be blindsided at times and purchase something that isn’t worth our money. Yes, some properties seem to just call to us, but if they have certain issues, you should still walk away. Let’s take a look at a few of these red flags.

Always look through the neighborhood. Are there many homes for sale and many boarded up shops? Make sure that you speak to some of the residents and ask about what the community is like. Look at the land as well. Foundations could be damaged by rain water if the yard slopes downwards to the property. If you notice any bad smells, there is generally something amiss. Look into whether there are pests. Ask community members of this, as everybody always knows when someone else has pests.

You are now ready to see whether the property was looked after properly. Check the property for maintenance as well. If it looks run down from the outside, it is likely that the inside isn’t in a much better condition either. Make sure to inspect the wiring. Real issues can only be identified by a qualified professional, but you can get a good idea yourself. Flickering lights and hot outlets are major red flags. Check whether it looks like some of the walls have been repainted recently, which could be a sign of them trying to hide something. Next, look closely at the windows. If there are signs of condensation or windows don’t open properly, it could be a sign of serious damage that will cost you a lot to repair.Naturally, never view a property that you are not allowed to see in full. Additionally, if you notice that any structural work has been done, such as the removal of walls or floors, you need to find out whether that work was done properly by a qualified architect.

The reality is that you are the only one who can decide whether or not to buy a property. Additionally, if you find that there are certain problems, you could use this as a negotiating point to drive the price down. You do have to ask yourself whether that bargain is worth the potential financial hassle you are putting yourself through. A home is a place where someone, either you or a tenant, will have to live and this means it does have to be an enjoyable property to seem extent. Naturally, you do also have to look at the property itself, but the importance of looking into the neighborhood cannot be denied either. In terms of the condition of the property, you can simply ask a property inspector to come and check it out, after all. This is different than a neighborhood inspection, which really requires a personal opinion and feel, something that only you can do and decide upon.