Looking at a house, maybe red flags?
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Anonymous
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We are looking at a house that has had extensive renovations done for the sale. The kitchen is updated. All the appliances are new and Whirlpool. Windows and doors all new. New hardwood floors. Everything looks about mid-range, and the price reflects that. In other words, not luxe renovations. It appears to be all well done, craftsmanwise, and we would obviously get a builder in to look at it and review disclosures and permits. Maybe there's just no knowing until then, but does any of this stand out to you as a red flag?
-whirlpool appliances -no garbage disposal or microwave -no washer/dryer -shortish boards on new hard wood- appeared to be about 1-2 feet long, pine, not knotty -standard/cheapish ceiling fans/lighting? There is a subway tile backsplash, granite counters and island and neutral tiles and bathrooms. Basic vanities, etc. Probably home depot. |
Anonymous
| As long as the price reflects all that, I don't see them as red flags. Except maybe the short boards. That seems like a major cheap-out. |
Anonymous
| OP here- thanks and I don't think the boards are pine actually since the realtor said they are "hard wood". Will have to find out. |
Anonymous
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Everyone is an expert! OP, can you bring an actual professional to come with you and assess the situation?
You generally get what you pay for. You know that right? |
Anonymous
Whirlpool makes some of the best selling appliances, I am not crazy about them, nor do I seek them out when I shop for appliances. But I don't particularly think they are bad in some way. No garbage disposal is a bit odd, but I don't really see this pointing to some a bigger issue. It wouldn't cost too much to get one installed later. No microwave is also not a major thing to complain about. I know it's popular these days to have a double wall oven, one of which may be a microwave. But I wouldn't stress about it. No washer/dryer is normal. Washer/dryer is apparently a very personal decision for some reason. We've had sellers who put it in their contracts that they are taking the washer/dryer. We just shrugged "go right ahead". Pine? Are you sure? The boards may be short to avoid knots. I don't start seeing good fixtures until we get into some of the better quality homes. Change them out if you want. |
Anonymous
| When was the house purchased by the current owner? It sounds like a flip, rather than sellers who were in the home for a long time before doing some renovations to sell. |
Anonymous
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I think when people do extensive renovations for a sale only, they go cheap.
No garbage disposal/no washer/no dryer are all weird. Those are must haves. |
Anonymous
Matter of money, right? Adding those is not really expensive. I would focus on things you can never change: location, location, location. |
Anonymous
Yes, totally agreed. |
Anonymous
OP again- thanks this is all good wisdom. We definitely know this is a "you get what you pay for deal" and have no problem going more upscale with the money we save on what we care about. Just glad to hear that this stuff doesn't seem to point to a bigger issue. That's it- you hit the nail on the head. Of course we will still do due diligence, but this house is looking good. |
Anonymous
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It sounds like a flip so investigate the sales record. I would be concerned everything looks good on the outside but what was done inside the walls? I like our whirlpool appliances. I don't need fancy. But, for a flip where you are paying a premium, I would expect things like a disposal, microwave and longer floor boards. They went with cheap materials. The longer the floor boards for good hardwood, the more costly it is.
I would get someone in to check the plumbing, electrical, what is behind the walls/structure and roof. |
Anonymous
| I think I know this house. |
Anonymous
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Just go in with your eyes open. Here are the problems we had with our flip (in our case, it was a long-term rental that was updated when the owners decided to sell):
--Roaches/mice in the kitchen. --Squirrels in the attic. --Home Depot cabinets that were so cheap we ended up re-doing the kitchen (upside: we found how the bugs/mice had been getting in.) --Leaky windows during hurricanes --Found out we needed a new roof, which we had been told by home inspector was newer (upside: no more squirrels or leaky windows). --All the new sod died really quickly Our appliances, electrical, heating, a/c (which is ancient), and plumbing have all been good (we're in year 6). So, overall, it's been . . . an experience! I was very concerned about buying a flip, but we wanted this particular place because it backs to a park and there aren't many houses in our neighborhood that don't back to other houses. Now that we've made all the fixes, we love our place (and I love my new kitchen), but if we hadn't had the money to fix the problems, it would have been stressful. It also helps that houses have appreciated in the DC area so it was still a decent investment overall. |
Anonymous
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It depends also on the overall price range of the house.
I think Whirlpool is perfectly reasonable in a mid-range house. I don't get how people get all fired up about appliances, which are the easiest thing in the world to change. Just like those jokers on House Hunters going on and on about granite countertops and stainless steel appliances but not caring about the location, etc. Or foregoing a great house because it has white appliances. |
Anonymous
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No microwave? Thats disconcerting. Microwaves are known to emit b-gamma particles that radiate the interior of the homes to ensure they maintain a steady neutral flow of particulate.
Not having a microwave is probably because when they had one it was obvious that the exterior slurry was damaged - running the microwave would have made this clear even with the naked eye, and absolutely obvious if the interior was plaster (And since its an older home, it probably is). The only reason I can imagine the owners didnt have a microwave (or more accurately, got rid of it) was because they knew any inspector worth their salt would find this. I would run far away. |