{"id":12221,"date":"2019-09-18T13:02:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T20:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=12221"},"modified":"2020-06-02T14:31:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T21:31:01","slug":"signs-dream-home-nightmare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/signs-dream-home-nightmare\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Major Telltale Signs Your Dream Home is a Nightmare"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congratulations! You\u2019ve found the home of your dreams. It\u2019s got everything you had on your \u201cmust\u201d list and more than a few of your \u201cnice to haves\u201d as well.<\/p>\n

Spacious, enough room for a pool, the right number of bedrooms and baths, not to mention that huge jetted garden tub and walk-in shower in the master bath. It\u2019s definitely a dream come true.<\/p>\n

But what if it isn\u2019t? Sometimes, the house of your dreams is actually a nightmare for an unwary buyer. Here are 5 telltale signs to watch out for while you\u2019re home shopping:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Kelly Sikkema\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. The price is too low<\/h2>\n

Remember that old maxim: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re seeing a gorgeous, seemingly well-constructed home that\u2019s selling for a substantially below-average price considering the neighborhood, then it\u2019s time to start asking specific and detailed questions.<\/p>\n

Check crime reports for the area with the local police department; in most states, statistical information and specific reports are subject to open records laws (unless there\u2019s an active, ongoing investigation).<\/p>\n

Also, talk to your home inspector and be willing to pay more for a closer look.<\/p>\n

Finally, don\u2019t discard the utility of simply asking why the property is selling for a relatively low price. Often, the answer is as simple as \u201cthe seller needs to relocate for a job and is happy to take a bit of a cut so they\u2019ll be able to purchase in their new town.\u201d<\/p>\n

But if that\u2019s not the case, you\u2019ll want to pinpoint exactly why that price is so low, or reconsider the purchase entirely.<\/p>\n

2. It\u2019s been heavily staged<\/h2>\n

Model homes have a certain \u201cnew car\u201d feeling to them. From the furniture (nouveau Pottery Barn, nothing too aggressively modern or precious) to the wall colors (neutrals, but not white) to the smells (chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven? Check!), everything about the house is calculated to trick you into thinking you\u2019re already at home.<\/p>\n

The same is true of highly staged properties<\/a>. Vacant homes seem smaller and typically do not sell nearly as quickly as ones with at least some furniture in it, so don\u2019t discount a property simply because it\u2019s empty.<\/p>\n

However, elaborate staging can hide a multitude of problems, from shoddy paint jobs to cracks to a funky layout that\u2019s really not adaptable to your lifestyle.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to see the house for what it really is. Try looking beyond the furniture and artwork to take in each room as a whole.<\/p>\n

Sketch a quick floor plan, if you don\u2019t have access to one already. Consider how you\u2019d actually live in these rooms with your furniture and decor. And always make sure you get a thorough home inspection<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Everything\u2019s just great\u2014except for the old, crumbling roof<\/h2>\n

Or floor, or foundation, or anything that will require a substantial investment to fix at some point in the future.<\/p>\n

Significant repairs can really add up. That\u2019s not to say that you should never choose a property that needs work.<\/p>\n

In fact, you may be better off with a fixer-upper.<\/a> Just be sure you know what you\u2019re buying and exactly how much you\u2019ll pay for the home<\/a> when all is said and done.<\/p>\n

4. The property is in a flood zone<\/h2>\n

This is one nightmare you\u2019ll want to address upfront. Properties that are located in flood zones are subject to much higher insurance premiums.<\/p>\n

When water infiltration does take place, mitigation and repair can be extremely costly. Additionally, with the ever-increasing risk presented by climate change, past floods might even look like mud puddles compared to future events.<\/p>\n

Check any property you\u2019re considering purchasing with the FEMA flood map database<\/a>. Simply type in the property address or coordinates and hit search.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: (Tessa Wilson\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. You\u2019ve got big plans for that property<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re not completely happy with the home or any feature of it from the jump, you probably have an idea in mind for expanding or renovating it to bring it more in line with your vision.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all well and good. But you\u2019ll definitely want to consult the local zoning and code enforcement regulations for your new property to make sure your plans are even permissible.<\/p>\n

Purchasing a property with the expectation that you\u2019ll build an addition for your mother-in-law, only to find out there\u2019s no way to construct an addition without running afoul of regulations could be a costly mistake. Always do your research first!<\/p>\n

Header Image Source: (Sidekix Media\/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you think it\u2019s too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid homebuyer\u2019s remorse- look out for these 5 major signs that your dream home is a nightmare in disguise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":12222,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[640,643,638],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-work-with-agents","category-home-tour","category-house-hunting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Telltale Signs Your Dream Home Is a Nightmare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you think it\u2019s too good to be true, it probably is. 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