Home Buyer Warning: 5 Signs A Home Has Not Been Properly Maintained

If you are in the process of shopping for your first home, then it is vital that you look for these five signs that signal to experienced buyers that the home may have been neglected and not properly maintained:

1. Overgrown Landscaping

If you pull up to a home and its front yard looks like a jungle, then this is a sign that the landscaping has not been regularly maintained. Seasoned home buyers view overgrown landscaping as a sure sign a home may also have been neglected in other ways. Whether the landscaping wasn't maintained due to a lack of time or desire by the current owner, it shows that other areas of the home are likely in a similar condition as the yard.

2. Paint Problems

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to keep your home updated is to paint. A home listed for sale should have clean and fresh paint on both its inside and outside. A home that has worn, stained, or peeling paint is likely a property that has been neglected in other ways as well.

3. Roof Discoloration or Curling Shingles

When you are looking at a home, you should make the effort to walk around its exterior far enough away from the house that you can get a view of the roof. While looking at the roof, look for curling shingles, missing shingles, and areas that are discolored. Damaged or missing shingles signal a roof that is at the end of its lifespan. Discoloration on a roof is an indication of mold, mildew, or moss growth. A home with roof damage can have a lot of major problems, so this type of damage is very improtant to watch for.

4. Missing or Moldy Caulking in the Kitchen and Bathroom(s)

Since home sellers like to hide missing or moldy bathtub caulking behind shower curtains, make sure that you always check bathtubs to see how they look behind the curtain. Also, check showers and sinks to check the status of their caulking. If the caulking is moldy, missing, or damaged, this is a sign that no one has been keeping up on this simple maintenance task.

5. Broken, Missing, or Mismatched Light Switch or Outlet Covers

Finally, as you walk through properties, take a quick look at each room's outlet and light switch covers. If these very inexpensive items are missing or mismatched, this is also a sign of a potentially neglected property.

For more information, contact companies like Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty.


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