Checking for Signs of Age

Very often when a home gets put on the market for sale the sellers do everything they can to hide tell tale signs that there may be a problem with the home. There are some important steps you can take to avoid buying a dud home. the first tip to follow is always check out a home you plan to flip in broad daylight. Often sellers prefer to show their homes at night because it may be harder to spot problems in darker light. Home generally look better from the outside and the inside in a darker lit environment.

Next look closely, check the bathroom for mold, go behind the shower curtains, see the condition of the bathtub. Look closely a the kitchen, it’s also a good idea to turn all the water taps on a off to check for water pressure. if the pressure is low it often means the pipes are old and rusty. Brown water is definitely a sign of rusted pipes so if you see any as soon as you turn on a tap make note.

Check the ceilings and attic for any possible water damage due to leaking and holes in the roof. Look closely at the electrical outlets and light switches. if they look old it is a good indicator that the entire system is old and may need replacing. If the home is in a rural location you should also check for any termite infestation. You can always ask the seller if the house has any major problems. if they say no then ask them if they will agree to state that there are no major problems with the house right in the contract. This will usually force them to admit to any existing problems.

Finally you should always get a professionals advice. Call in a contractor for a quote, or even bring in an electrician and a plumber for an appraisal. It’s good to know up front what the necessary repairs will cost and you can also use these numbers as leverage to bring down the seller’s price.