Real Estate Experts Name the Number One “Red Flag” to Look for When Buying a Home

LAS VEGAS, NV – While there is a plethora of things you should be on the look-out for when looking into one of the single most expensive purchases that you will likely ever make in your life – that is, buying a home – there’s one element that many real estate experts say many first-time homebuyers consistently overlook, and it can lead to major financial headaches down the road.

The element that newbie buyers often fall prey to is their inability to tell a high-quality home renovation from cheap, quick-fix cosmetics update done by a seller simply looking for a fast and easy flip.

These deceptive updates can take the form of some fresh paint, new appliances, and some “light staging” – that is, when a vacant home is furnished with basic accessories and furnishings to make it more appealing to potential buyers – and they can certainly hoodwink the untrained eye into thinking that they home they’re in looks great.

But experts say that if a house looks too good to be true, it’s vital to give it a thorough, in-depth inspection to see what lies underneath the shiny veneer; after all, you want the seller to have invested in high-quality renovations, not surface embellishments designed to hide deep flaws in order to make a fast sale.

Kitchens and bathrooms are especially common culprits in this regard, and cheap, DYI cosmetic fixes are often the most evident in these rooms. Be on the lookout for poor paint jobs, tiles that are misaligned, cabinets that have been installed unevenly, a lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, and sloppy caulking.

Also, if any rooms in the home have been renovated, ask to see the permits to ensure the work was done by a licensed, competent professional; if they are not available, the work was probably carried out by the seller instead likely not up to snuff, and unpermitted work can also cause you financial headaches down the line if you sell the house or have to file an insurance claim.

In a worst-case scenario, unpermitted home upgrades – such as electrical and plumbing work, or adding additional square footage – may not be up to local building codes, and an inspector could force you to rip the work out and redo it to bring it into compliance.

Make sure you hire an experienced and knowledgeable inspector to look over any home you may be interested in buying. Important things to note are the condition of the home’s exterior; the age of key infrastructure items such as the HVAC, electrical and plumbing; the condition of areas that are typically considered afterthoughts, such as the basement or garage; and signs of water intrusion or poor drainage.

In the end, it’s more important to make sure you get a home that has been well-maintained then one with all the bells and whistles; after all, you can add them yourself after the sale is complete.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.