Real Estate Features And Flaws: To Ignore Or Not To Ignore?

28 March 2016
 Categories: Real Estate, Blog


When setting out to find a new home, it can take some time. It is quite a difficult journey to find the perfect home. In many cases, you never find the perfect home. Instead, you find a home that is suitable and can be built into the perfect home for you. There will be certain features that you absolutely have to have or the house is a no-go. At the same time, there should be certain flaws in the home that should be an absolute turn off. So, as a home buyer, you need to know which flaws in a home that you should ignore and which ones you should not ignore. This way, you can make sure you don't pass up on a home that could potentially become your dream home or that you walk away from the home that just isn't right for you.

Features That Are Usually Okay to Ignore

When arriving at an open house or a viewing appointment, there are few things that are okay to overlook. The primary flaws that can be ignored are cosmetic. This is because these are generally very minor and can be easily, quickly and economically fixed when you move into the home (or possibly even beforehand). For example, if the dining room has wallpaper that looks like it was from the 1950s or the living room has a very unappealing paint color, you can easily and quickly transform the way these rooms look after you close the deal on the home. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, there are many options available in terms of textures, colors and patterns.

It isn't just paint that can be ignored, as you can also look past minor improvements and fixes, such as cabinets, closets, doors and fixtures. These features are typically do-it-yourself projects and inexpensive. Home improvements stores often have a wide variety of materials and options available that can help you personalize your space regardless of your individual style.

Features That Should Never Be Ignored

Ultimately, when looking at features in a home that you should never ignore, you should look at the ones that are the most expensive to repair or replace. For example, outdated electrical systems, air conditioning systems and furnaces can cost hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars to replace. For example, you're looking at an average of nearly $4,000 for a new furnace installation. This price may be lower or higher depending on your location and the specifications of the furnace.

Now, keep in mind that it may be possible to have a stipulation put into the real estate paperwork that the seller of the home have these systems replaced before the home is closed on or demand a discount on the selling price in order to replace these systems. The same is true with kitchens and bathrooms that are in dire need of renovations due to structural integrity or being significantly outdated.

Your best bet is to hire a home inspector to come out and examine the home thoroughly to pinpoint in areas of concern. A home inspector will look at everything from the foundation to the roof and look for structural issues to mold and water damage – all serious issues that need to be dealt with and negotiated prior to closing. Click here for more information about real estate.


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