Buying a Home This Summer? Use These Four Tips to Uncover Hidden Flaws and Issues

In a hot market it’s easy to be blinded by the competition and succumb to the pressure to make an offer on a home before you’ve adequately assessed it. If you’re looking to buy a home this summer, use these four tips to uncover hidden flaws before you put your offer in.

1) Hire A Pro

One of the most reliable ways to identify potential and existing problems within a property is to hire a professional home inspector to evaluate it. Home inspectors are trained to find issues that the average person may overlook, which can save you from putting in an offer on a money pit.

2) Do It Yourself

If you can’t afford to hire a home inspector, conduct a thorough home evaluation yourself. Ensure that the roof doesn’t have any significant damage or leaks, check window caulking for holes, and scan the basement thoroughly for asbestos and black mold.

Within the house, pay special attention to the bathrooms for leaks around the tubs, showers, and toilets, as this may indicate leaky pipes which can be a costly fix. Likewise, check underneath the kitchen sink and around appliances for leaks, which may also be a sign of a more expensive fix.

Even if you’ve hired a home inspector, always inspect the home yourself to the best of your ability. The more sets of eyes that look over the property the better, and you may find small problems that aren’t considered huge deficiencies to an inspector but may be deal breakers for you, such as peeling paint or cracked tile.

3) Seek Strata Minutes

If the home you are looking at is a condo, ask for copies of the strata minutes. Strata minutes serve as a record of any past issues that the building has had and will include notes on any upcoming costs that are already identified. Take these into consideration when estimating your condo fees and the value of the property.

4) Hire Help

Real estate agents can not only take a lot off of your plate when it comes to buying a home, but they also possess specialized knowledge and experience in uncovering flaws in homes. They know what to look for!

A real estate agent will take care of the property research for you, sifting through past strata notes or pointing out any deficiencies that they can identify when you are considering a home. With a trained professional on your team, you are more likely to find issues that could devalue the property.

Ready to find a home that’s fit for you? Get in contact with me today – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

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2101 E Oak Street Phoenix, AZ 85006

$465,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,188 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6679967

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Exquisitely remodeled from top to bottom. This modern home boasts 3BR, 2BA, and an array of upgrades. This home features a new kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, Quartz Countertops. Nicely done Bathrooms, some new plumbing and electrical, New Roof, New Windows, New AC, Fresh Paint inside and out, and more. Entertain effortlessly in the backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and RV gate for added convenience. Desirable location, close to everything. Immediate access to freeways, minutes from Sky Harbor Airport and Downtown Phoenix. No HOA. Don't miss this opportunity!

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1502 E Garfield Street Phoenix, AZ 85006

$465,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,032 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685102

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautifully updated 3 bed-2 bath home on spacious lot in Historic Garfield. Walk to vibrant downtown Phoenix restaurants, art, festivals, and more! Natural light floods all rooms creating bright + airy ambience. Home has an open floor plan with high ceilings, split bedrooms, indoor laundry, + all new luxury vinyl plank flooring. Kitchen has freshly painted cabinets, quartz counters, + ss appliances. You can live in an adorable historic home w/ all the modern conveniences. Low maintenance desert landscaping in front. Large backyard provides option for casita or office space for those who WFH. 2016 - roof replaced, HVAC replaced, new Pella windows, updated bathrooms & kitchen. 2024 - all flooring + baseboards replaced, all fresh interior paint, and more. This home is an absolute gem!

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1925 W Joan De Arc Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85029

$465,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,898 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6675275

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Sit under the covered patio and enjoy mountain views from your backyard in this energy-efficient home conveniently located to elem school, parks, golf, gorgeous Moon Valley hiking. Fresh paint, new carpet, dbl-pane windows/sliding door. 16-seer HVAC system, incld ductwork inspected and cleaned for your convenience. 4 bdrms pls room off kitchen for office or pantry, gas range with dual ovens, newer dishwasher, Corian countertops, integrated sink. Outside has Tex-Coat cool wall heat reflective coating and a 50yr rated, heat-reflective roof (2011). Other systems replaced: bathroom underground flex pipe, laundry room/kitchen sewer line, thick blown-in insulation in attic, which has extra storage build-outs. Oversized yard with RV gate to store the big toys. Beautiful 50yr-shingle roof.

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129 S 82nd Way Mesa, AZ 85208

$465,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,994 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6678829

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this beautiful 2017 home featuring a wonderful floorplan with a split master bedroom and large kitchen with plenty of cabinets and walk in pantry. Exterior of home was recently triple coat painted and has a large RV gate, 30 amp RV plug, and 20x20 storage shed in backyard. House has water filtration system and softener and is solar financed with a $39,000 balance. You will love the vaulted ceilings in the family room and plenty of windows for lots of natural light coming in. Water heater is only 2 years old and the attic and walls are double insulated. Much pride of ownership in this fantastic home just waiting to become YOUR home next with no HOA.

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