If you are looking to buy a home but you might be on a limited budget, fixer-upper homes might be more appealing. Finding a home in a great neighborhood or on a great lot sometimes can be appealing, even if the home itself needs some work. There are some projects that just might be too big to take on. Here are four potential home problems you should try to avoid when it comes to shopping for your dream fixer-upper.

1. Sold 'As-Is'

If a home is being sold with no prior inspections, this might be a property that is more in line for contractors. This might include non-permitted work such as extra rooms or a chopped up layout. You might be left with a host of issues that you weren't aware of and can be outside of your scope to fix. If a home doesn't have power or water at the time of viewing, take this as a red flag as well.

2. Foundation Problems

If you are looking at old homes in a hilly environment, foundation leveling might be a way of life. While foundation problems aren't impossible to fix, this might be an added expense that you will need to take on before moving in. Make sure this is something that you can afford to fix in the future as well. Foundation work can be something that is reoccurring with homes on hillsides.

3. Condemned Decks

When looking into fixer-uppers on the market, condemned decks might not be worth the initial work even on an otherwise okay home. If you would like to move forward with a property that might need some exterior work, be sure to bring in an inspector to give you their honest opinion. A deck specialist can let you know replacement costs as this is something you would need to budget time and money to work on immediately.

4. Extensive Water Damage

Whether visible water damage is from flooding or roof problems, both can be hard to fix. Be sure to keep an eye out for water damage on the ceiling and possibly covered up with paint that might show signs of bubbling or warping. Be sure to ask about roof conditions if it seems like leaks might be a problem. If homes are in a flood zone, be sure to look for water damage outside and inside a home to deduce if the location would really be worth the effort.

It's always a good idea to have a potential home looked at by your real estate agent or inspector. They can quickly give an opinion on if a home might be too much work for you to handle. Sometimes issues can be superficial, such as dated looks and color choices, but if a home as major structural issues, this might not be worth it. Contact a business, such as Macaluso Realty, for more information.