Hi lovelies,

Whether you’re moving around the corner or across the world, searching for somewhere new to live can be extremely exciting, providing you with the chance to carve out a new space for yourself that, hopefully, takes you that bit closer to the house of your dreams. 

It is, however, important to remember that just because a property looks great on paper or listed across go-to real estate websites doesn’t necessarily mean you should tap your mortgage broker’s speed dial straight away. Instead, it’s crucial to keep your head about you with even the best properties by realizing that, sometimes, houses that seem too good to be true turn out to be precisely that. 

Viewings are, obviously, the best way to make sure, but it’s also worth looking out for the following red flags that the house you’re falling in love with isn’t quite the ideal match you’ve got in mind.

# 1 - Uncharacteristically low pricing
Finding a house that ticks all of the boxes and has a tiny price tag can feel like hitting the house hunter’s jackpot, but this is one pleasant surprise that often turns out to have a sting in its tail. Specifically, houses that are uncharacteristically affordable for their area/style/size tend to be hiding skeletons that you won’t want to unearth, including structural issues, future developments, etc.

In some extreme cases, a house may be hiding a potential hazard. This is especially true in older properties, as they can be riddled with asbestos. In this case, you have to remove the asbestos as safely as possible to lower the risk of certain health conditions and even cancers. If you were exposed to asbestos due to negligence, then look into a mesothelioma lawsuit that can provide you with the compensation you are entitled to.

So, instead of seeing dollar signs when you find a perfect house for less, do your research to make sure that your savings aren’t going to cost you big time down the line. 

# 2 - A general lack of viewing availability
Every vendor has different standards/capabilities when it comes to holding viewings, but a lack of availability around key times like rush hour, school kick-outs, etc. can also act as a warning. As such, if you’re only able to view a house during the middle of the day when everything’s quiet, it’s again worth getting your detective hat on. Driving around the block during notoriously busy periods/times can be especially useful for helping you get a proper sense of how well you could maintain sanctuary here. Do your research, too, by looking out for any local schools or congestion areas that might ruin the peace if you were to move here. # 3 - Lights on in every room
It’s also well worth keeping an eye out for lights that are left on in every room during a viewing. This is a common real estate trick that points directly to the fact that the property you’re looking at struggles to get enough natural light. While this is perhaps less of a dealbreaker than other points mentioned, it can be a problem for some. If you’re looking for a light and spacious home that’s ready to go, you’ll definitely want to steer clear as a result of this telltale revelation.

No one wants to fall in love, or financially commit, to a property that isn’t as it seems. Make sure your home really is too good to be true by remembering these warning signs throughout your search.