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When you’re evaluating a house for sale, it’s just as important to examine the outside as it is the inside. So unleash your inner home inspector and read on to learn how to look for these 10 warning signs.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Outdoors
10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for Sale
June 23, 2018
When you’re evaluating a house for sale, it’s just as important to examine the outside as it is the inside. So unleash your inner home inspector and read on to learn how to look for these 10 warning signs. Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
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Sagging Gutters
1/10Sagging Gutters
1/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Make sure that the gutters are secured to the structure and that they slope down towards the downspouts. And then make sure the downspouts extend a few feet away from the foundation. Look for holes, cracks, rust or anything else that could indicate they don’t function properly.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleSagging Gutters
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -Make sure that the gutters are secured to the structure and that they slope down towards the downspouts. And then make sure the downspouts extend a few feet away from the foundation. Look for holes, cracks, rust or anything else that could indicate they don’t function properly.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Foundation Cracks
2/10Foundation Cracks
2/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Not all foundation cracks are created equal, but they should all be looked at carefully to determine if they’re cause for concern. Sometimes when concrete dries or cures it cracks a bit, and these cracks can be filled with an epoxy injection. However, if you see step cracks (horizontal and vertical cracking between the cinder blocks or bricks) or extensive cracks in the concrete slab, there may be cause for concern.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleFoundation Cracks
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -Not all foundation cracks are created equal, but they should all be looked at carefully to determine if they’re cause for concern. Sometimes when concrete dries or cures it cracks a bit, and these cracks can be filled with an epoxy injection. However, if you see step cracks (horizontal and vertical cracking between the cinder blocks or bricks) or extensive cracks in the concrete slab, there may be cause for concern.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Improper Grading
3/10Improper Grading
3/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Improper grading – either a totally flat surface or ground sloping towards the house - can lead to basement floods and a compromised foundation. No good. It’s fixable, but it will cost you. So take this into account before you put in an offer.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleImproper Grading
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -Improper grading – either a totally flat surface or ground sloping towards the house - can lead to basement floods and a compromised foundation. No good. It’s fixable, but it will cost you. So take this into account before you put in an offer.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Roof Problems
4/10Roof Problems
4/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Spotting certain roof problems can be hard from the ground, but do your best by walking away from the house so you can get a better view. And do this from all sides. Look for peeling or missing shingles, shingles that are mismatched (meaning there could be a patch job) and other irregularities.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleRoof Problems
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Spotting certain roof problems can be hard from the ground, but do your best by walking away from the house so you can get a better view. And do this from all sides. Look for peeling or missing shingles, shingles that are mismatched (meaning there could be a patch job) and other irregularities.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Chimney Issues
5/10Chimney Issues
5/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Chimney repairs can be very expensive, so if you’re buying an older home that has a brick chimney, take a close look at it. If you can’t get up on the roof, make sure at the very least that you walk around and look at it from all sides. If you see missing bricks or large cracks, there may be trouble.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleChimney Issues
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -Chimney repairs can be very expensive, so if you’re buying an older home that has a brick chimney, take a close look at it. If you can’t get up on the roof, make sure at the very least that you walk around and look at it from all sides. If you see missing bricks or large cracks, there may be trouble.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Damaged Windows
6/10Damaged Windows
6/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Have a good, close look at the windows and window frames. Sometimes they can look good from a distance, but when you get close you'll notice rot, patch jobs, cracks, and other types of damage. Replacing windows can be expensive, but so can hydro bills when the windows are not in good shape.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleDamaged Windows
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -Have a good, close look at the windows and window frames. Sometimes they can look good from a distance, but when you get close you'll notice rot, patch jobs, cracks, and other types of damage. Replacing windows can be expensive, but so can hydro bills when the windows are not in good shape.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Rotting Decks
7/10Rotting Decks
7/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Take a look at any outdoor structures like decks and porches, and make sure they’re not rotting or damaged. If they’ve been recently painted, take a look at the underside. Paint can mask a lot of damage, so make sure you know what you’re dealing with. <br /> Want more ideas to improve your deck? See <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/how-to-give-your-deck-a-makeover-in-a-single-weekend-1900479/">How to Give Your Deck a Makeover in a Single Weekend</a>.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleRotting Decks
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -Take a look at any outdoor structures like decks and porches, and make sure they’re not rotting or damaged. If they’ve been recently painted, take a look at the underside. Paint can mask a lot of damage, so make sure you know what you’re dealing with. <br /> Want more ideas to improve your deck? See <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/how-to-give-your-deck-a-makeover-in-a-single-weekend-1900479/">How to Give Your Deck a Makeover in a Single Weekend</a>.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Rotting Siding
8/10Rotting Siding
8/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Siding that is rotting or warping will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. If left unattended, it could cause damage to the layers underneath and allow water and insects to eventually make their way into your home. Do a perimeter check and look carefully for signs.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleRotting Siding
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -Siding that is rotting or warping will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. If left unattended, it could cause damage to the layers underneath and allow water and insects to eventually make their way into your home. Do a perimeter check and look carefully for signs.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Crumbling Mortar
9/10Crumbling Mortar
9/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Brick has a pretty long lifespan, but the mortar between the bricks isn’t as reliable. Over time it can start to deteriorate, and depending on the severity, you may need to do some tuck pointing - a labour intensive process that involves removing and replacing the crumbling mortar between bricks.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleCrumbling Mortar
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Brick has a pretty long lifespan, but the mortar between the bricks isn’t as reliable. Over time it can start to deteriorate, and depending on the severity, you may need to do some tuck pointing - a labour intensive process that involves removing and replacing the crumbling mortar between bricks.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Damaged Trees
10/10Damaged Trees
10/10Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Another thing to look out for are trees that look like they could be damaged or dying. Beautiful old trees are great, but you want to avoid any that look like they could come down with the next big gust of wind. You also want to look out for branches that are dangling around power lines. It will be up to you to make sure any trees on your property are kept safely away from the house. <br /> Want to learn the do's and don't before buying a cottage? See these <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/recreational-property-must-have-features-1916341/">7 Features Every Recreational Property Must Have</a>.Outdoors10 Exterior Red Flags to Watch Out for When Evaluating Any House for SaleDamaged Trees
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Another thing to look out for are trees that look like they could be damaged or dying. Beautiful old trees are great, but you want to avoid any that look like they could come down with the next big gust of wind. You also want to look out for branches that are dangling around power lines. It will be up to you to make sure any trees on your property are kept safely away from the house. <br /> Want to learn the do's and don't before buying a cottage? See these <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/recreational-property-must-have-features-1916341/">7 Features Every Recreational Property Must Have</a>.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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