Fresh paint! Look a little closer! The Wilson area is full of homes for sale with some that have had recent repairs. High humidity, moisture and termite damage can often be the reason for these repairs.
Looking at homes can often be confusing. Which floor plan fits your lifestyle - what is convenient to work, school or church - yard size - amenities - the list goes on in a real estate search! But a very important factor that needs to be remembered is the condition of the home. We have seen buyers fall in love with the home of their dreams that looks okay on the surface. All seems to be fine with gleaming floors, fresh paint, lovely light fixtures, etc. But the "bones" of the home must also be an important factor that is examined closely in order to make the best decision.
It could turn into "The Money Pit" - remember the movie? - or a "Termite Buffet" - the termites are holding hands to keep the house together! There are several areas to notice as you view a home. One is fresh paint! It can mean several things:
A - The area just needed a fresh coat to spruce it up.
B - The necessary repairs were done and repainted to match.
C - Caulk or putty may be filling cracks in rotted wood underneath the fresh paint.
D - Fresh paint is directly over damaged areas - drywall, plaster or wood - without any necessary repairs being made!
"C" and "D" are warning signs to more serious underlying problems in a home - moisture or termite damage. Several times, upon examining freshly painted wood trim inside and outside of a home, we have pushed on the trim and it was soft - or sometimes it gave way and just fell apart! Sellers may not even know of these conditions as they may have hired someone to do the necessary work to repair the maintenance issues of a home or they may have done this themselves - thinking that is the proper way to fix it - OR they may actually be trying to cover up an issue with the home. Sometimes new paint on walls or ceilings are a result of roof or window leaks, water leaks from pipes, HVAC drainpipes overflowing, plumbing problems, etc.
We always advise our buyers to get a professional inspection with the inspector of their choice. We also mention to our sellers that it may be a good idea to get an inspection upon listing their home in order to know if there are any unknown or serious problems that need to be addressed ahead of time.
Many other underlying issues can be hidden that a professional inspection can discover. A closer look is a good thing!
As always give us a call if we can help you with your real estate needs @ 252-289-7355. If you are not looking in the Wilson area we can help you with a referral anywhere you want to buy or sell! You can always visit us at www.TaberTeam.com .
Comments(2)