Buying a home can be an exciting, daunting and emotional process – all at the same time! Once you finally find a house that checks all of your boxes and feels like a place that you want to call home, do not make the mistake of getting in too big of a hurry to sign all of the paperwork.

Since purchasing a house is such a huge financial decision, you should take the time and effort to investigate the property as thoroughly as possible. While many home sellers are open and honest about the state of their home, the unfortunate reality is that there are also plenty of sellers who try to conceal problems just to make a quick sale. If a home seller fails to disclose a problem that they know about, that issue becomes yours once the sale is finalized.

In an effort to help keep you safe and educated on the details, let’s go over a few of the common issues home sellers try to hide.

Roof and Foundation Problems
Issues with the roof and/or foundation of a home can be costly to repair, so it should not come as too much of a surprise that some home sellers try not to disclose these problems. Be present at the home inspection, and make sure the home inspector thoroughly checks out both of these areas. If you see any cracks or damage that you are worried about, have another professional come check it out. It is better to reveal any issues ahead of time so that you can have the seller make the necessary repairs, have the price adjusted accordingly or get out of the deal.

Leaks
Leaks happen at one point or another in almost every home. Some leaks are miniscule, while others can be the result of or lead to a major issue. Unfortunately, some home sellers will do a quick fix so that potential homebuyers do not immediately see there is a problem. Thoroughly check out all of the faucets, ceilings, radiators and anything else that may show signs of a leak.

Home sellers who are motivated to sell may also hide information about termite infestations, the age of the HVAC system or the history of the home. To protect yourself and your purchase, it is imperative to ask the right questions and be armed with all of the necessary information.