More Reasons to Re-Think Buying a House

Yesterday, I shared a few reasons to re-think buying a house. Today, I went to look at a few handyman specials and have a few more reasons to add to the list. And by the way…When they say handyman special? I think it is code for “This house should be condemned due to mold, structural and hazardous waste issues.” Wow.

• A scribbled sign on the door that says “Don’t drink the water.” After I read the sign, which the realtor pulled down because it was unauthorized, I took a closer look at the surrounding houses and saw that a lot of them had gallons of water lined up on their porches. Hmm.
• The ability to enjoy the view and fresh air from inside without actually using a window or door. Yup. When you see four inch gaps in the walls, you should be concerned.
• Windows that are not actually attached to the house. Seriously. I touched one of the new windows on a house I was looking at and it wasn’t even nailed into place. The funny thing is they have signs for a security system on the house.
• Black fuzzy walls. It isn’t even a house with a mold problem anymore when it gets to that point. More like mold with a house problem. If the smell and sight of mold hits you before you finish opening the door, quietly shut the door again and go away. (I looked at a house with a mold problem before and then again after it was completely rehabbed a few years ago. The mold was already creeping back across the new kitchen cabinets. Fixing it is possible, but if you don’t fix it right…Well, why mess with it if you don’t have to?)
• Masking tape covering suspicious looking wall bulges. There’s a reason that wall isn’t smooth and masking tape is not going to fix the problem.

Photo: K. Thomas