subject: 5 Issues Most House Hunters Overlook [print this page] Buying a house can sometimes feel like a game of hot potato. There are a bunch of problems that neither the seller nor buyer want to take responsibility for, and they toss them back and forth, with different excuses as to why one person should have to fund the fixes instead of the other. But, the reality is that, as a buyer, there are some problems that you should never have to be responsible for, and that the seller should have taken care of before even putting that property on the market. If you're house shopping keep an eye out for these issues and if you see them, either ask for the appropriate price cut or insist the fixes be made before you pay.
Gates
Even if they are automatic, these are typically propped open for open houses, so you wouldn't know if they were broken or just not working properly. These are so easy to overlook since you just drive right through them and are instantly distracted by the house itself, but be sure to get a proper demonstration of the gate before making an offer.
Water damage
Sometimes this can be subtle, but so dangerous. Water damage can weaken the entire structure of the house, making it dangerous to reside in. It's common that the buyers and the sellers overlook this damage because it's hidden within the walls or obscure part of the house. Have the house thoroughly examined for water damage before you even start talking money.
Electric Wiring
Some homes have faulty wiring that will cause lights to burst or simply not turn on. My friend was looking into buying a home that previously belonged to a voice coach that would give singing lessons right in her home. She had had very complicated and strong wiring installed for all the equipment she needed to teach people how to sing, but that wiring was unnecessary for someone who was just going to lead a simple life in that house and would cause regular little light bulbs to burst! Lucky for my friend, she noticed this when first looking at the house and asked the seller to do the re-wiring herself.
A weak roof
Over time a roof can become weakened by leakage or simply time and the weather. Have the roof thoroughly examined before making an offer since it is, after all, right over your head!
Old plumbing
If a house has really been worn in, it may have pipes that don't work with the new sinks, toilets etc. that you want to install, or faulty waste lines. Have these looked at!
