17 Red Flags That First-Time House Hunters Should Watch Out For

The old adage in real estate is that location is the only thing that matters. I would add the size of the property, too, as that is very difficult to change. But while you can change a house, some repairs may beyond your budget. Before buying your first home, it's best to listen and heed the horror stories of people who've been there, done that. A reddit thread is full of them. Some highlights:

12. If you're hunting in a college town, get a map, draw a line from the popular bars to the dorms, and then DO NOT BUY A HOUSE ON THAT LINE.

"You would be shocked by the amount of vandalism and noise in that area." —sewnlurk

13. Beware of staged properties.

"Staging can hide flaws like a rug put over a damaged floor. Picture the place empty and check everything twice." —scangemode

If you're on a budget, every house will have some flaws, but you should be able to identify them and figure out which ones you can live with. Buzzfeed compiled a list of the best tips, and you are welcome to add others here to help a first-time home buyer.  

(Image credit: A McCarron)


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When I was looking at houses, I narrowed my list down to 3. Then I went to each one late at night, parked on a nearby street, and walked all around the neighborhood, listening for loud parties and loud dogs. Sure glad I did. Every neighborhood is quiet in the daytime!
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