There are many red flags when it comes to purchasing real estate, unfortunately many of them are often overlooked, unseen, or buyers are not aware of the red flags that they should be keeping an eye out for. Many of these red flags will be within the online listing, something that your agent should be able to warn you of, however, it is important to keep in mind that online listings don’t always paint an accurate picture of the home you wish to see.
No Interior Photos
Quite possibly the most common, when online listings don’t contain any interior photos it is generally because the home is not in a “showable” condition. This could be a for a large variety of reasons ranging from clutter to mold and even damages.
Related: Buying an Older Home, What to Look out For
Stretched/Altered Photos
It is no secret that you can do a LOT with photoshop now a days and that rings true for real estate photography as well. If a photo looks too good to be true, looks as if the lighting has been altered, the photo has been stretched, a fisheye lens was used etc. they are generally compensating for something and the actual home will look far different from the photos.
Low Asking Price
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Unfortunately, lower asking prices, or prices that fall far below market value are due to some sort of damage or repair within the home. Should you find a listing with a low asking price, make sure to inspect the “why” before getting your hopes up.
Back on the Market!
In some cases, this could mean that a previous offer simply fell through or the buyer changed their mind, however, it could also mean that the buyers uncovered something about the property that wasn’t appealing or worth the investment. This could be things such as mold and mildew, outdated electrical, damaged roofing, etc.
Related: What Risks are There When Buying a Short Sale?
While in some cases, these red flags could simply be due to poor advertising, it is important to make sure to take them with a grain of salt and inspect any and all red flags prior to placing an offer or setting all of your sites on one singular listing.
If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to list and market your property with a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any questions about New York Real Estate, please feel free to contact my office at any time.
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