3 Key Questions Buyers Should Ask Before Closing on a Home

You’ve looked at so many homes and finally settled on the perfect one. You’ve even made an offer. So, what happens when issues pop up on your home inspection report or if that home is impacted by a natural disaster? These are some pretty serious questions to consider, but you can give yourself some peace of mind by keeping these tips in mind when buying a home.

 What Issues Are Considered Red Flags in Real Estate?

Before you close on your new home, some inspection red flags to be on the lookout for can include old sewer systems, large foundation cracks, and faulty electrical systems. While some of these issues can possibly be repaired, you need to be aware that the costs to do so can be enormous. Some factors that can determine how much an electrical panel upgrade will cost include labor, any extra work required, and any old electrical equipment that needs to be disposed of properly.

If a home is in an area recently impacted by a natural disaster, you may need to look out for additional warning signs. For example, while a small amount of water damage after a storm may be acceptable, the presence of mold should give buyers some pause. Mold remediation can be a complex and expensive process, so you may be better off looking for a home that does not have these sorts of issues show up on the inspection.

What Inspection Issues Should Homebuyers Overlook?

Understanding home inspections can be tough, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. What your inspector chooses to highlight on the report can come down to his/her experience and even personal preferences, so it’s important to choose an inspector you know you can trust when buying a home. You should also be aware of which issues to overlook when it comes to reading through your home inspection report. While seeing that your potential home has a few cracks in the wall, for instance, can cause you to panic, those cracks may simply be cosmetic issues that you can easily fix before moving into your new home. Honestly, most older homes will have some issues show up on the home inspection, so you need to determine which fixes you are comfortable taking on and which you would rather not. Cosmetic issues, superficial damage to windows, are nearly always easy to remedy (you can find trusted window repair contractors online), so don’t let these items put you off from what could potentially be your dream home. You can also try negotiating repairs before walking away.

What Steps Should Buyers Take to Back Out of a Sale?

Finding out that your dream home needs repairs or has been involved in a natural disaster can be rather unsettling. If you have some choice in your new location, then finding out that your new city is prone to natural disasters could make you want to back out of your move completely and find a new location instead. Even if you do not have some say in where you move to next, you may wish to keep searching for homes instead of buying on with potential issues. In either case, you should know that canceling a home sale can require some finesse. If your initial offer included a home inspection contingency, you may have an easier time walking away from the contract. If you did not include this or any other contingencies in your offer, then you could end up losing any money you’ve put down on the home or facing additional legal issues. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced real estate professional when making your offer.

Having unexpected issues or repairs show up on your home inspection doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. You just need to know which issues you can fix or live with, and which ones you’d rather not deal with at all. Then you can decide whether to move forward or walk away.