Buying a house is not an easy thing to do. Apart from running through multiple listings on the real estate market, you need to consider a lot of things before closing on the sale. What are some things you need to check out for, which some sellers may hide from you?
Sellers and real estate agents are often required to disclose every single detail about the house they are selling. Unfortunately, there are some details that a seller can keep (intentionally or unintentionally) from a buyer.
According to Trulia, sellers commonly hide details, which might hinder a buyer from closing on the sale. However, real estate agent Jennifer Breu noted that sometimes, the saying, "Honesty is the best policy" is still the right way to go.
"It doesn't pay to mask something that isn't a huge issue and can be fixed. Transparency increases value," she said.
Breu also cited a previous experience wherein she had a house for sale with a ceiling that was falling down. Breu did not attempt to hide this fact from the buyers, and in return, she still got a lot of offers for the said property.
In the case of leaks, these are commonly being kept from the buyers, but this shouldn't be the case, as leaks are often easy to fix. Pests and issues with the home's foundation are also some of the things you need to check for when buying a house.
While most states require that sellers disclose any potential infestations, some sellers may still keep this information from potential buyers. As previously reported on Realty Today, an appointment with a professional to check the house for any termite or foundation issues is a must.
Apart from leaks, pests and foundation issues, some sellers may hide the house's history. According to the aforementioned publication, a property, which is haunted or has a history of crimes or murder are often kept from the buyer's knowledge.
To find out if the house you're eyeing on has some sort of "emotional defect," you may ask for info from the locals or you can check via the website DiedinHouse.com.
