Buying a house is stressful. You want to make sure you’re finding the house that’s right for you and your family while buying something that’s going to be reliable and not end up as a money pit. At Reliable Properties, we have a few signs you’ll want to look out for when shopping houses for sale in the Capital Region in NY.

Moldy or musty smell

Someone trying to sell their home will go great lengths to ensure the house doesn’t have any odd smells. Burning candles, spraying disinfectants, or using scented plugins are popular methods to cover old smells. However, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to be blind to the smell of their home because they’ve gotten used to it. If you notice a moldy or musty smell when you walk into a home, it’s probably a sign that there’s a mold problem somewhere that hasn’t been addressed. Rather than chalking it up to the home being old, avoid the house because you’ll probably be the one who has to pay to fix the mold and any other damage associated with it.

Doors that don’t close

It’s a good idea to close doors behind you as you walk through a house. You’ll be able to see whether or not they close properly. Doors that don’t close can be a sign that the door frame has shifted somehow. Even if doors do close properly, look to ensure the top and bottom corners are perfectly square. You can often see if there’s been a part of the door shaved off to make it fit properly into the door frame, which is a temporary solution to a long-term problem.

DIY additions

It’s great when people can do their own additions, but they’re not always the best they can be. Some DIYers will cut corners here and there to reduce the costs of their project or don’t have the necessary knowledge and tools to do professional-quality work.

Not only could you be at risk of having a part of the home that has shoddy workmanship, but it’s also not covered by a warranty. Different aspects of the project might be covered as the materials used have extended warranty periods, but the work itself isn’t protected. Professional contractors often guarantee their work and are licensed to use specific products to maintain manufacturer warranties. DIY additions don’t come with this protection.

Listing price doesn’t seem right

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