Candace Carlson
Windermere Real Estate/ S.C.A., Inc
Create an Account
Creating an Account allows you greater access to additional home search features. Click Login below to begin.
Click Here to Log In
Daily Tip #9
Posted on January 11, 2010
Tip #9
Don't ignore red flags when evaluating a home's pluses and minuses.
When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems.
Some issues--peeling paint, worn carpeting, ugly wallpaper---are cosmetic and can be easily remedied. In fact, you can use these "problems" during negotiations to lower the asking price--after all, you'll need to spend money to bring the house up to snuff. Make careful note of what you see that can be used to your advantage. Don't nit-pick, however---if taken to extremes, you can end up alienating the seller and creating a hostile atmosphere.
Other problems may be warnings to walk away. Major foundation cracks, evidence of previous water damage, signs of serious dry rot or termite damage, antiquated electrical systems or plumbing--any one of these may be cause to reconsider your interest.
Don't let a house's positive attributes blind you to very real problems. If you do, the chances are good that you'll end up spending much more money than you ever expected down the line.
