Searching for a new home can be exciting, but no one wants to look for a property forever. Everybody wants the perfect home with no damage. Unfortunately, appearances can be very deceiving. While it’s the responsibility of the landlord to disclose all of the possible damages to the tenant, some issues run deeper than just the surface, while others can hide in plain sight.
But how can we do that? Let’s go together over some examples of red flags you should look for in order to keep your eyes open and a cool head while looking for a property.
Unpleasant odors
One of the first things someone notices when they walk into a room is the smell, and just like a pleasant scent, an unpleasant odor can leave an imprint on one's perspective.
An unpleasant odor can be caused by many things, such as mold, pets, poor sanitation, and deficient ventilation. Musky and moldy odors can indicate a deeper problem since they directly result from moisture damage.
If the smell subsequently comes from poor sanitation, it indicates that the property isn’t cleaned regularly. Thus affecting the tenant’s quality of living, leading to more serious issues if not addressed efficiently.
Water damage
As the tenants go touring a property, they look for damages in the following forms: bubbles in the paint, stains, or spots. According to these Orlando property managers, a lot of water staining on the ceiling, walls, and floors can indicate a poor consolidation of the house, which could lead to paint discoloration, peeling, corrosion, mold, and other aesthetic or structural problems. This could be a good indicator of a leaky roof and faulty pipes. While a small water stain isn’t necessarily a huge problem, we recommend that you pay attention to avoid a potentially larger issue the property might be hiding.
Visible signs of neglect
Tenants are always looking for a well-maintained property that is in good condition.
If a property is in disrepair is likely to be a red flag for tenants. A very easy-to-notice red flag while viewing a property is signs of neglect or cheap quality construction. One of the most common signs of a property in deterioration is the physical signs of disrepair. This can often include cracks in the walls and foundation, cracked and shattered windows, and broken fixtures. Any sort of issue like this must be addressed promptly to ensure the safety of the tenants and prevent further dilapidation.
Termite damage
Termites, unfortunately, are one of the worst enemies of a wood structure home, especially since they are so tough to exterminate without a professional. They're most commonly found in the West, Southwest, and South, as they are found to thrive the most in warmer climates; these pests can be extremely damaging to your potential home.
The signs include corrosion, mud tubes, which are tube-like formations underneath the paint or wood layers, discolored wood or paint, wood-colored termite waste, and hollowed-out wood.
These signs of infestation can be seen by just paying close attention to the walls and floors of the house.
Cracks in the foundation
Cracks found in the foundation can be extremely harmful and debilitating to the future health of a home, and they are a major indicator of a red flag that tenants never fail to spot.
These cracks are at the exterior of a house, inside of a house’s basement, and underneath the floorings. These fissures can result from many things like weather changes, faulty drainage, natural disasters, and sometimes soil not being properly prepared before setting a foundation to begin construction.
No matter the cause, these structural issues can seriously threaten a home’s integrity if left unchecked.
Conclusion
While nothing is perfect, and many properties can have minor faults, it’s better to know what may cause a tenant to back out of the deal.
How can a property manager help
Properties managers are a huge help to landlords that want to keep their house in good condition. They stay on top of maintenance and preventive maintenance, ensuring everything is repaired and ready for the new tenants.
Get in touch with us today and learn more about our services.