4 Problems Home Sellers May Try To Hide

When you’re house hunting, you’ll need to be vigilant about finding any problems that a house might have as you could go from excited to underwhelmed in a minute, if you discover that your property has some major problems after you buy it. Although sellers are required to disclose any structural issues that they know of, there are some sellers out there that may try to hide them. Here are four typical issues home sellers often try to hide from buyers:

#1. Pests

A house may look perfectly lovely from the outside, but in the hidden areas of the house, such as the inside of walls, there may be pests such as roaches or termites that could damage your home and leave a big dent in your wallet. The wise thing to do is schedule a professional pest inspection on any house you are interested in.

#2. Water and structural damage

Leaky roofs and foundation issues can be a huge and expensive headache. Some sellers may make a few temporary fixes in order to keep you from noticing any leaks so you will need to pay close attention to areas of the house that look somewhat newer, or in better condition than others.

Leaks around the exterior of the house, around areas such as windows, doors and in the roof, can be easier to hide if it hasn’t rained for a while.

#3. Troubled history

Some states don’t require that sellers disclose whether the house has a dark past, such as having been involved in a murder. But if a home’s past is important to you, and your state doesn’t require seller disclosure, a simple online search on the property should be able to reveal any morbid history that the house might have. While this shouldn’t affect the value of the house itself, you might find it uncomfortable living in a house with a troubled history.

#4. Old appliances and HVAC system

You don’t want to get stuck with a house outfitted with old and outdated appliances or HVAC units. Older units will usually be less efficient and may not perform well anymore. They might be close to the end of their lifespan, and replacing or repairing HVAC units or appliances can be quite costly. If the seller doesn’t know or doesn’t disclose the age of the home’s water heater or HVAC systems, simply ask your home inspector to help you determine it. You can also speak to neighbors for more information.