3 things to scrutinize when buying a home

3 things to scrutinize when buying a home

On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Jun, 24, 2021 | Real Estate Law

When buying a property, everyone hopes they are dealing with an honest seller. While there are British Columbia laws designed to protect buyers from shady sellers, it is still a good idea to be on the lookout for certain things that can be designed to “cover up” issues with a home.

Here are three things buyers should scrutinize when checking out a house:

  • Boxes, rugs, and other things that could be covering defects: Buyers should not shy away from moving things away from the walls or off the floor to see what lurks behind. Keep a close eye out for things that look a bit out of place, as they could have been hastily placed to disguise an issue.
  • A new roof: Most buyers see a new roof on a listing and think it’s a good thing. It might be! However, if there was a lot of neglect in the roof or attic before the replacement, it could have left lasting issues. Check ceilings and upper floors carefully to see if the roof change could have been overdue and left damage.
  • Drainage: When checking out a house, it’s a good idea to look for water damage outside and in as well as drainage issues. Are there cracks in the driveway, sidewalks, or up the walk? Is there erosion around fences or retaining walls? This is important to keep in mind when picking a house, especially in areas where rain is common.

In a competitive real estate market, buyers are sometimes hesitant to do their due diligence. However, taking the time during a walk-through to observe these three important issues can really help people know what they are in for if they choose to make an offer. In addition to being careful to observe these issues, it is important to find a trusted real estate lawyer when making an offer and finalizing a transaction to make sure the investment is further protected.

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