Random Biggest Red Flags You Should Look For Shared By Real Estate Agents And Homeowners (20 items)

• (#17) Find Out Who The Realtor Works For

  From a former Redditor:

  Ask the agent that for the house they show you, are they also representing the seller? There is an obvious conflict of interest here, but that doesn't seem to stop them. Also if the house is a "pocket listing," ask them why the house is not on the MLS (listed) and shouldn't it be? Many agents try again try to pocket both sides of the deal and bypass market mechanisms. And never buy a house without an inspection unless you are going to be tearing it down.

  Finally, remember the agent is working for themselves and not you, despite what they tell you, so always do your own homework on a property, including looking at the home's sales history, talking to the neighbors about the house and area, and going down to city hall and pulling records on the house.
• (#9) Look At The Roof

  From Redditor /u/danny2787:

  My grandfather sold real estate for decades. The first two things he looked for was the roof and the furnace. If either were too old or looked like a possible replacement was needed soon, then it's something to consider (most first-time home buyers can't afford to replace in first couple years, and many older homeowners would rather not either).
• (#13) Are Only Certain Things Updated?

  From Redditor /u/onepurch:

  Fresh paint, new carpet, but nothing else updated. It's the realtor remodel special. Just there to make you feel good on your 15 min. walk-through. Look at the tiles, trim, foundation to see what you really need to know. And always drive the neighborhood at night if you do not know it.
• (#12) Always Read The Contracts Before Signing

  From Redditor /u/NWBoomer:

  Wife was a realtor - we have bought and sold many of our own properties including investment properties. Don't just sign a bunch of papers at closing thinking it is all boilerplate. Documents get written up with errors, some glaring, some not so. We had the wrong terms and interest on a loan once. Another time, they had the name wrong on the recording title.

  Also, I cannot believe how many people buy a property covered by and HOA, and then are totally surprised that they have to pay assessments or that they cannot dig up their front lawn and put in an herb garden. All that stuff you are signing, you are agreeing to in a contract. That you "didn't know" doesn't cut it.

  Also, people often keep paying mortgage insurance long after they have over 20% equity in the house. You want to keep paying it, [and] they'll keep collecting it until you tell them it is no longer needed.
• (#2) Go To Viewings When It Rains

  From Redditor /u/Yvgar:

  Go to showings when it's rainy as f*ck, then check out the basement.

  This will expose any water issues with the foundation... One house I was shown had a cable run into the basement from outside at the dirt-level and never sealed - so there was a stream of water pouring over the circuit breaker box onto the basement floor.

  Passed on that house.
• (#10) Scan The Outside Perimeter

  From Redditor /u/Jtizzzle:

  Realtor here. Grading. Hands down. Or, the angle at which the ground slopes at the foundation of the house. If the ground slopes towards the house, then that means any rain is just going to be funneled right up to your foundation, and [it] can cause some big problems. Extra caution if it is sloped concrete, like a driveway, 'cause that means either mudjacking or jackhammering, both labor and cost-intensive.

  Seriously, when you're looking at a house, do a walk around the perimeter first. Could save you tens of thousands and future foundation problems.

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