Lew Geffen has been in the real estate industry since 1972, is recognised as one of the leading experts in property in South Africa and holds many directorships in associated real estate and allied industries.
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Finding the right home is like falling in love. Buyers become infatuated with the aesthetics of properties and begin to dream about what their lives will be like in their new home. All objectivity is lost and it is impossible to see the flaws in their new love.
Before fully committing to buying a home, it is important to take an objective look at the property. Failure to do so may result in a slew of problems and regret. It is important to keep in mind that buying a home is an investment, and you need to be cautious before signing the dotted line.
Here are our Lucky 13 ways to avoid buying a home of hidden horrors:
1. Check the roof
Roof repairs are often the most expensive and complicated parts of the house to repair. Make sure the roof is straight and is not structurally compromised (damaged shingles is an indication of this). Any indication of rot is a serious health hazard as mould that often accompanies rot is toxic.
2. The slant of the ground
If the land slopes towards the house, it could indicate a potential for drainage problems. If there are no measures to drain water away from the house there may be water damage due to flooding.
3. Cracks in exterior bricks and plaster
Often time’s cracks are like the wrinkles of an old house. However a long crack can also indicate foundation problems.
4. Window sills that do not run in a straight line
If window sills do not run in a straight line, the quality of the foundations or walls could be poor.
5. Doors and windows that don’t close properly or open easily
This can be a sign of a foundation problem.
6. Depressions and dips or unevenness in the floor
Such flaws need to be repaired and is most often caused by sagging floor joists. However they can also indicate problems with the foundation.
7. Warping, bubbles or chipping in laminate flooring
This could be due to water damage or saturated groundwater levels.
8. Cracking / shifting floor tiles
This can be a sign of a foundation problem.
9. Hollow sounds when walking on tiles
Either the tiles were not properly laid or there could be a foundation problem.
10. Strange features
The bathroom and kitchen are deciding factors for many individuals when purchasing a home. Strange features such as a bathroom off a kitchen, bedroom or a lounge or a study off a dining room can affect the resale of the home.
11. Bubbling of paint on the walls
This could be signs of water damage or damp inside the house.
12. Smell of mould or dampness
Mould and dampness can be toxic and pose a serious risk to you and your family’s health. It also requires a lot of maintenance that you may be unwilling to give.
13. Poorly executed DIY jobs
Problems that others have fixed may be yours to repair. Hiring experts to repair bad DIY jobs may cost more than it would to hire them in the first place.
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