Brian Hatkoff

Hatkoff Real Estate Investments | Chatsworth, CA

  • Home
  • About Us
    • homesbybrianh
    • hatkoffinvestments
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

House Hunting: Watch for These Five Small Signs That Can Indicate Much Bigger Problems with a Home

September 23, 2014 by Brian Hatkoff

House Hunting: Watch for These Five Small Signs That Can Indicate Much Bigger Problems with a HomeIt’s not uncommon for homebuyers to recount horror stories about properties that appeared to be fine at first glance, but were actually hiding very expensive problems. If you fail to do your due diligence, you might find your dream house turning into a nightmare. The next time you walk through a house, pay attention for these five signs that the property might be hiding a unfortounate secret or two.

Mold, Water Spots and Water Damage

Older and newer homes alike may develop a leaky pipe or another similar plumbing issue from time to time, but any type of water issue can result in mold growth inside the walls. Water spots and warped wood indicate that the property has had a water issue in the past, and this means that the property should be more thoroughly inspected for mold growth before you make a purchase.

Doors and Windows That Stick

One of the most common signs of a foundation issue is doors and windows that stick or that are difficult to open and close. As you walk through the home, open and close the doors at leisure to identify if they are not in the frame properly. The issue should be reviewed by a structural home inspector or foundation contractor.

Small Cracks in the Walls

Some cracks in both interior and exterior walls can indicate that the home’s foundation has shifted and is no longer flat and level. Significant issues may be indicated by molding or door frames that appear to have shifted after installation.

Fresh Paint on a Small Area of the Wall

Many property sellers will apply fresh paint to walls before listing a home for sale, and this is not necessarily a sign of damage to the home. However, when fresh paint is applied on one area of the wall alone, this may be a sign that the homeowner is attempting to conceal water damage or other related issues with the property. Further inspection of the property is in order.

Floors That Slant

Any time a floor slants to a level that you feel as though you are walking up or down across the home, this is a significant indicator that the foundation has shifted. Foundation issues result in the movement of the foundation that the entire home rests on, and this can result in an uneven feeling when you walk across the floor. If you notice that the floors in a property slant, you should schedule an inspection of the foundation.

These small signs are symptoms of large problems, and they should concern you. If you notice any of these problems on a walkthrough, walk away from the home and contact a real estate professional for assistance.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Buying A Home, Home Buying Tips, Home Inspections

Brian Hatkoff

Brian J. Hatkoff
CCIM, CRS

Hatkoff Investments
Professional, Experienced, Reliable

Give Me a Call! 818.701.7789

BRE # 00644374

Want Us to Contact You?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect with Me

Categories

Recent Articles

  • The Top Home Maintenance Mistake’s You Must Avoid
  • Taking an Extended Vacation? Renting Your Home to Long-term Tenants is a Great Option
  • The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Home Versus Buying Pre-owned
  • Feeling Squeezed by Higher Rents? It Might Be Time to Consider Buying Your First Home
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 8, 2022

Resources

  • Buyer Info
  • Featured Homes
  • Property Search

Our Location

Hatkoff Investments

19836 Mayall St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Office: 818-701-7789
Mobile: 818-701-7789

Copyright © 2022 · Powered by MySMARTblog