Purchasing a house, whether it is the first or second time, is a process with a lot of money, time, and effort, among others, involved. Nobody can really be an expert in doing a big purchase such as a house, but there are some red flags to watch out for the next time you make this big decision:
- Fresh paint
Rooms that are suspiciously freshly painted can be an indication that the seller is attempting to cover hidden damage. Just like how we repaint furniture or rooms to make them look like new again, sellers may try to paint rooms to make them look like they are fresh or are in good condition.
Do not let the aesthetic hide the real condition of the rooms, walls, or ceilings. When in doubt, consider hiring a professional building surveyor. Cheap cover ups like this will not escape an expert surveyor’s eyes.
- Random wall stains
Stains on walls, ceilings, and other parts of the house are evidence of damage that has been unchecked for a prolonged period of time. This is especially true for leaks. Although water in itself is not damaging, the repetitive leaking or dripping of water causes stains. While the stains can easily be cleaned or painted over and are not really red flags in themselves, the problems that caused them are.
- Bad environment or neighbourhood
Aside from carefully checking the overall condition of your prospective house with the help of companies that offer surveyors in Chelmsford, it is also a good idea to look at the condition of the neighbourhood where the house is built.
This is particularly true with houses that are sold at rather more affordable prices than usual. Note that the value of the property is affected by its surroundings. Having a high crime rate, poor lighting conditions, or high risk of disasters are some of the things you have to check as well.
- Unpleasant odours or smells
Remember that you will stay for a long time in the house you plan to buy. Do not overlook unpleasant odours or smells, which, aside from exposing you and your family’s health to risk, may also be indicative of things like poor drainage, and faulty sewage systems.
- Uneven foundations
A house built on uneven, sloped land poses problems, especially if the house is placed at the lower level of the hill. During the rainy season, water, mud, and other debris are most likely to flow and accumulate at the base of the house, and nobody wants that. If the property you are buying is in the Essex area and has a party wall with a neighbouring building, you might need the services of a party wall surveyor in Essex to avoid future disputes with the neighbours.
Final thoughts
There are many things that ordinary people tend to overlook when buying a house. The five mentioned above are just some of the things that you can spot early on. In all cases, it is best to consult a surveyor in the area to help you detect hidden damage that can make or break the deal.
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