Despite headlines about the Bay Area being unaffordable, our housing market is still among the hottest in the country. Buyers from all over the world are willing to pay high prices to enjoy the Bay Area lifestyle.
But so much competition among buyers can result in some hasty decision-making. Before you make an offer, pay attention to any red flags. Red flags aren’t deal-breakers; they’re simply a reason for you to pause and take a closer look before making the offer.
Here are four major red flags when buying a house.
1. Doors and Windows that Don’t Sit Right in Their Frames
If you see a door hanging off-kilter in its frame or gaps around a window, take a closer look at the home’s foundation.
Most California buyers don’t worry too much about possible foundation issues. After all, how much can go wrong with a simple concrete slab foundation? But with California’s different soil types, as well as its seismic activity, foundations can crack or sink. This often results in doors that lean oddly in their frames or gaps around window frames.
It pays to have a foundation specialist examine the property if you notice the doors and windows don’t sit quite right.
2. Stains (or Touch Up Paint)
You may know to look for stains on the walls, floors, or ceilings. These stains can be a sign of water damage, perhaps from a leaky pipe or a damaged roof.
But many buyers don’t know to look for touch-up paint as a possible attempt to cover up these stains. Sellers understand that any sign of potential water damage can scare buyers off. So some sellers might touch-up the affected area with fresh paint.
Of course it’s also entirely possible that there was a leak at one time, the leak was repaired, and the stains were painted to complete the repair work. So touch-up paint doesn’t necessarily mean someone is attempting to hide a flaw. It’s simply something worth inquiring about.
3. Lots of For Sale Signs in the Neighborhood
In a buyer’s market, you might expect to see lots of for sale signs. But in the Bay Area’s competitive housing market, homes are purchased too fast for listings to remain on the market. As of February 2020, San Francisco homes are sitting on the market for an average of 42 days, and Contra Costa County homes are claimed within just 12 days!
Seeing multiple for sale signs in a hot market like this could indicate a neighborhood issue. Perhaps a commercial construction project is making the neighborhood less desirable. Talk to your Sequoia real estate agent. We will have the inside scoop on all neighborhood developments.
In fact, when you run into one of these major red flags when buying a house, your first step should be to consult with your Sequoia agent. We tour homes every day and know exactly what to look for (or who to consult if we need a specialist to conduct a closer inspection).
With Sequoia, you can write the offer on your new home with confidence! If you aren’t already being represented by a Sequoia agent, contact us today to consult with one of our experienced buyer’s agents.