5 Things to Watch Out for at an Open House

Pay Attention to Smaller Details

When walking through an open house, you can easily get distracted by certain things instead of noticing the minor and more essential details. Homeowners may not want you to see the old carpet or light paint chips on the wall. But there are many things that you should pay attention to, outside of plainly cosmetic issues.

Learn about what you should look for while walking through an open house. Attention to specific features will pay off in the long run and can tip you off to expensive red flags if you end up moving in.

1. Roof

At an open house, you should find out what condition the roof on the home is in. Are there shingles falling off? When was the last time they repaired it? How old is it? These questions may not occur to you while you’re walking through, but it’s essential to find out. This can help you avoid issues in the future. A very old roof in bad condition can cost a lot of money to repair.

2. Signs of Water Damage

This may not be obvious up front, but you should look carefully around the property for signs of water damage. This can show up in the form of darker lines running across the top of the ceiling or along the wall and is especially common in basements. Learning about the history of water damage is crucial because you may not want to buy a house that floods every time it rains heavily.

3. Closet Space

You probably know to pay attention to how much closet space a home has, but it’s still an important thing to point out. Older houses can be charming and beautiful, but they tend to have much smaller closets than newer ones. Think about how much stuff you own and try to imagine yourself living there. Could the closest accommodate everything? Or would you have to find alternative methods of storing your stuff?

4. Natural Light and Turn Lights On

Most open houses happen during the daytime, so lights may not be on in every room if it’s bright enough. Is the daytime light natural and bright? Or does the house seem dark during the day? Make sure you still try the lights out in each room. Are the light fixtures up to date? Do you like how the dining room chandelier looks?

You will be spending lots of time in your new home, so enjoying its ambiance is essential. Changing the entire light and electrical system if you’re unhappy with how things look could be a considerable extra cost later.

5. Plumbing

Check the water pressure on the sinks, and turn the shower on briefly. Ask the realtor or homeowner what the plumbing history entails. Low water pressure can signify a more serious plumbing issue that costs you lots of money if you’re unaware of it upfront.

Make an Educated Decision

Finding a beautiful house that feels perfect for you and your family is wonderful. But if a home has many issues that aren’t apparent up front, you could live in an expensive nightmare later on. You may consider looking elsewhere if you don’t want to spend lots of money on serious home improvement projects.