Real Estate 'Deal Breakers'

That May Actually Be Deals in Disguise, Most home buyers have 

in their minds a list of 'deal breakers'—specific real estate features that they absolutely won't put up with in any property they purchase.

But guess what? Your deal breakers might actually be deal makers in disguise.

Waiting for that mythical perfect home to emerge can be a losing battle. Meanwhile, bargains are out there—they just need a buyer who's savvy enough to see past certain seemingly glaring flaws and realize that they're fixable problems. Here are some examples:

An outdated kitchen

“Since a bad kitchen is probably priced into the house, I consider it a benefit to the buyer, because you'll be paying less, and then you can pick out the exact kitchen you want,” she says. And this theory holds for almost any cosmetic horror—whether it’s wood paneling, tattered shag carpet, or foil wallpaper—provided the house has good bones and is otherwise a winner.

But before you walk away, figure out if it’s salvageable; for example, maybe it’s a great layout that just needs some cosmetic work.

The Colors That Will Help and Hurt Your Home Sale (click on picture)

Asbestos

Wow, the very idea of asbestos definitely makes you want to run away, doesn’t it? And yes, removal can be costly. But there is one exception: If that asbestos is in the floor, the situation can typically be taken care of by encapsulation rather than costly removal.

Unpaid HOA or condo fees

If the last sellers didn't pay all their HOA or condo fees, they get passed on to a new buyer. Only who would want to take on someone else’s debts? Someone who wants a total steal, that’s who.

So if you hear of a house or condo with lingering dues from past owners, don't be scared off until you've asked one simple question: How much?

Water damage in a basement

We’ve all heard about the dreaded issue of a wet basement. The mold! The mildew! But if you are just seeing water stains in one area, it may be pretty easily fixable, Sisson says. “The culprit is usually downspouts that drain directly at the edge of the foundation,' she says. 'Adding downspout extensions will often solve this problem.” All for about $30 each and a quick trip to the hardware store.

Cracked walls

Those ominous cracks in walls don’t necessarily mean the house is going to fall over on itself. “Many buyers think about foundation issues when they see wall cracks, but that's not necessarily the case,” he says. While drywall is now a common building material, prior to the late 1950s, interior walls were typically built with lath and plaster. Because of gravity and the normal house settling that occurs over the years, plaster can often crack, which can look very scary—but is often not a major problem.

An old roof

An old roof can be a deal breaker, since they're so pricey to replace (check out how much a new roof costs).  “Most home inspectors I’ve worked with will mark a barrel-tile roof as past its life expectancy after 25 years, but these roofs can last beyond 40 years in the right circumstance,” he says. Just make sure there are no leaks or visible damage, and of course, double-check that your insurer will cover it.

High radon levels

Yes, radon is a dangerous radioactive chemical. Yep, that sounds incredibly frightening. But the good news is that it is almost entirely fixable with an abatement system. The system can run you $1,500 to $3,000, Sisson estimates, but when installed properly, it'll reduce the levels to about 0.5pCi/L, which is considered 'background level” and perfectly safe.

Termites

Hearing that a property has termites makes a would-be buyer picture the home being eaten alive by insects, ready to blow over in a stiff breeze, says Dominguez. But in some climates, like the humid environs of Florida, they are pretty typical, since prevailing conditions provide a great breeding ground for them.

We are Ready to Help! When you’re working with real estate professionals like Carriene Porter of Precision Realty & Associates, you’re guaranteed to get the expertise and advice you need to Sell or Buy a home. 

Not quite ready to buy a home?  You may qualify for the Lease with a Right to Purchase program.  Call me and I'll give you the details on how you may qualify to get into the home you want, get settled and then purchase it when you are ready! If you prefer a more personal touch, CALL 801-809-9866 today.  

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