4 House "Flaws" You Can Safely Disregard
When you walk through a house with your real estate agent, you're seeing if you and your family would be happy living there. But you're also probably looking for signs of trouble that might spell big expenses later. Be careful, though. It's important to see the "bones" of the house rather than focusing on minor issues.
Here are four flaws you can safely disregard.
Stained Carpet
Stained carpet is more an indication of the owner's poor cleaning habits than of any real problems with the house. It's so easy to replace carpeting that it's not worth even paying attention to when you're viewing a house for sale. In fact, once you pull up that carpeting, you could discover beautiful hardwood flooring!
Questionable Paint Colors
They say that there's no accounting for bad taste. If you've seen enough houses with your real estate agent, you're bound to encounter some less than traditional paint colors. However, paint can easily be painted over. You can safely ignore the flamingo pink bathroom walls or the putrid brown bedroom color.
Lack of Curb Appeal
Every homebuyer wants to pull up to a house for sale and think, "How charming!" Unfortunately, a lack of curb appeal gives a sour first impression. However, don't let that deter you from seeing the house for its true value. The inside might be magnificent. You can always add your own curb appeal later with pretty landscaping, shutters or window boxes.
Outdated Kitchen
If the kitchen is a little dated but the rest of the house meets your expectations, it's okay to overlook this "flaw." It's easy to update a kitchen with new or refinished cabinets, new appliances and a fresh coat of paint. Yes, it will cost a bit, but the outdated kitchen might be reflected in a lower selling price. Ask your real estate agent for their recommendation in this regard.
Sometimes it's challenging to find the right house in the right location. When you do find one that checks all the boxes, don't let any of these minor "flaws" deter you from making an offer. The little things won't keep you from enjoying your new home, and you'll be glad you focused on the things that really matter!
A trusted mortgage advisor with Bond Street Mortgage is available to help you secure your financing for your new home. Be sure to make an appointment to get your pre-approval so you can be ready to make an offer as soon as you find the home of your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, stained carpet usually indicates poor cleaning rather than structural issues and is easy to replace, often revealing better flooring underneath.
You can safely disregard questionable paint colors since paint is easily changed to suit your taste.
Not necessarily; a lack of curb appeal can be improved later with landscaping or decorative additions and shouldn't stop you from considering the home's true value.
An outdated kitchen can be overlooked if the rest of the house meets your needs since kitchens can be updated with new cabinets, appliances, and paint.
Focus on the home's "bones" and overall value rather than minor cosmetic issues, and consult your real estate agent for guidance on which flaws are truly significant.
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