Have you ever watched a popular home buying show? Often you see home buyers searching for their ideal home turn down places with only minor flaws.
They get caught up in the look of bad flooring or a dated bathroom. But are those problems serious enough to reject a home? Probably not.
When looking at a new home, don’t focus on everything being exactly how you want it. You may be able to get a better price on a home that only needs cosmetic repairs like new flooring, paint, light fixtures, cabinets, or countertops. Observe the quality of the home instead. Consider how solid the doors are, look for a level floor, and keep an eye out for any water damage or suspicious cracking in the stucco or foundation.
If you’re able to look past cosmetic problems, you may be able to find a great home in the perfect location for less than you bargained for. Then, with the savings, you may be able to give your home the exact look you’ve always wanted.
You might be able to save by overlooking cosmetics, but there are some issues you shouldn’t look past. If the floor plan isn’t what you’re looking for, you may want to move on to another home. You can open up a space by widening doorways and taking out non-load bearing walls, but if the kitchen isn’t where you want it to be, there isn’t much you can do. Other red flags you should watch for if you don’t have money for major repairs include:
An aging roof
Numerous electrical wiring upgrades
Galvanized pipes
Water heating or air conditioning issues
Termite damage