You are ready to purchase a home and so you begin the process of visiting neighborhoods until you narrow it down to a few perfect areas where you would love to live. Now it’s time to start looking at houses. But before you do, take heed of a few red flags that we’ve encountered and would like you to be aware of.
1. Beware of what you don’t see:
Your first interaction with your potential new home is likely through online photos. Of course the owners are going to shoot and design the images to make their property look beautiful. But what you should be aware of are the areas of the home you don’t see in the photos. When you walk thru the home, make sure you visit these sections of the house. There could be something that lowers the home’s value or is in need of obvious repair. Also make sure your contract has an inspection period, which allows you to have time to hire a licensed and insured home inspector.
2. Don’t be fooled by candles.
A seller may have a collection of Yankee Candles burning as you tour the house. Their scents may be pleasant and welcoming, but take note if there are too many burning at once – they could be trying to cover something up. Mold has a very specific smell and having a mold problem is a serious one to have in a home. Mold can cause numerous medical issues and can be costly to target and eliminate and then to repair the area. Take time inspecting areas that seem extra moist or humid, where mold could be thriving.
3. A “water view” may not always be a good thing.
Another aspect to look out for is a wall or area that has been recently painted. Water damage is very common in South Florida real estate. There will be a noticeable difference in an instance where the seller wanted to spruce up a section of the home as opposed to the fact that they wanted to cover up water damage. Feel free to touch the section that has been painted and see if the wall’s texture is different than the surrounding area. Walls that have been ruined by water damage will feel soft to the touch. Depending on the extent of the damage, this may not be a deal breaker but getting it checked out before closing the deal is best.
Real estate in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the rest of South Florida is booming now more than ever and Grimaldi Law Firm is prepared to help you with your home buying needs. Grimaldi Law Firm has been practicing real estate law for almost a decade and we want to make buying a home in Florida a great experience for you. Grimaldi Law Firm can assist with the buy, selling and refinancing of residential and commercial property.
Want to learn more about buying real estate in Florida? Check out the Grimaldi Law Firm website and blog.
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About the Author: Melinda Grimaldi is an attorney in Hollywood, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial and residential real estate and estate planning law. She can be reached at (954) 491-8707 or melinda@grimaldi-law.com
Special Note
The information on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to answer any individual’s legal questions. Do not rely on information presented herein to address your individual legal concerns. If you have a legal question about your individual facts and circumstances, you should consult an experienced real estate attorney. Your receipt of information from this website or blog does not create an attorney-client relationship and the legal privileges inherent therein.