Be aware of concerns that can make a buyer walk away from your house in Locust Grove

No home is perfect.  Even new construction homes can have nail pops on walls and blemishes on doors.  However, when searching for a house in Locust Grove or getting a home under contract there are several items that can arise which will stop the buyers from moving forward with the purchase of a home.  While these items may not cause an investor to walk away from a house, they may be deal breakers for buyers looking for move in ready homes.

Why didn’t I know about these problems before?

Sellers are required to disclose any known issues with a home when it is on the market and may even adjust the price of the home accordingly.  In this case, the Realtor® should share this information with the buyers, so the buyers are aware before they make an offer. However, these deal breakers are not always known issues to the homeowner.  They are discovered during the home inspection.  (This is why you should always have a home inspection!).  When these deal breakers are discovered, there is an opportunity for negotiation between the buyers and sellers to resolve the issue and continue with the purchase of the house in Locust Grove. Because of the home inspection continency, if a resolution is not reached between the buyers or sellers, the buyers have the option to not continue with the purchase.

What are some deal breakers for buyers?

Foundation Issues:  During a home inspection, the inspector will take a look at the foundation.  If the inspector feels like there is a larger issue at hand, the inspector will recommend that a foundation specialist comes in to assess the concern.  Buyers will walk away from a home with foundation issues because it is an expensive item to fix.

Old Roof:  A roof with peeling singles and signs of damage can be a deal breaker for buyers.  These roofs may be along water to seep in and destroy the framework of the home.  The cost of a replacement and repair may make this a deal breaker for a buyer even if the buyer likes the home.

Water Damage:  A leaking pipe or signs of water in a basement can be cause for concern.  Mold can quickly grow and spread and can be an expensive and time consuming fix. 

Extensive Termite Damage:  A pest inspection can reveal a pest infestation.  If a home has extensive termite damage, then the repair work can be extensive too.

Exterior Concerns:  Cracked siding or loose bricks on the exterior of a home can be a dealbreaker for buyers because this indicated that the home hasn’t been maintained or might have a foundation issue.

Out of Code Plumbing or Wiring:  As technology has advanced the systems in our homes, older systems often are out of code.  Old electrical systems can be a fire risk and need to be assessed by an electrician.

Poor Photography:  Since almost all buyers begin their home search online, have poor photography of your home and be a deal breaker for buyers.  If the photos are dark or of low quality, the buyers will scroll right past your home.

The great thing about homes is that these are all things that can be repaired.  However, every buyer has a budget.  Sometimes these issues are too much and become deal breakers for buyers.