No matter the cost of a piece of property or real estate, and regardless of your experience level buying homes, there can always be a certain level of anxiety involved with the process.

You might be ready to pull the trigger on the purchase, but still have a nagging thought lingering, 'am I missing something here?'

That’s precisely why having a solid checklist and game plan is so important — it’s critical to feel comfortable and confident that you’re making the best possible decision for yourself. So, in this article, we’ll look at 3 critical things you must avoid when buying a house, and we’ll also go beyond simply defining these — we’ll also share practical steps on how to follow through.

two men wearing hard hat standing near clear glass window
Photo by Guilherme Cunha / Unsplash

1. Know the risk of natural disasters or man-made hazards before you buy

It can be surprisingly easy to neglect comprehensively assessing this factor when looking at a home, and even more difficult to know how to properly assess these risk factors. Let’s quickly run through the essentials.

First, is the property located in a flood zone? Of course, if the edge of the property backs up to a river or lake, this can be a natural conversation to have, but less obvious cases may mean the question fails to be properly raised. Luckily, in the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides an incredibly easy tool to assess a property’s flood risk. You simply need to enter an address, and you’ll be provided with an easy-to-understand assessment.

Next, we can consider other natural hazards ranging from earthquakes, tornadoes, and even volcanic activity. Just like with flooding, FEMA has provided a website with a straightforward user interface providing detailed maps with helpful information on 18 natural hazards including those listed above. 

Moving on to human-created risks, there is a large body of evidence that suggests that living within proximity to landfills and industrial zones can have harmful effects on human life. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides several resources to assist with your research. Although it does not claim to be exhaustive, this map has data that includes the location of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills, and this EPA resource provides spreadsheets including landfill data organized by state. 

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how far is acceptable from factories or landfills; many factors, like prevailing winds and the type of facility, come into play. Additionally, how you weigh the risk of natural hazards is also a matter of personal judgment. Regardless, it’s a good topic to keep in mind and dig into further before making the leap.
two men standing on black railings in blue concrete building
Photo by Motoki Tonn / Unsplash

2. Avoid buying in high-crime areas

The charm of a particular piece of property, or the overall look of a neighborhood can ultimately be deceptive. As the saying goes, 'You can’t judge a book by its cover'. When it comes to matters of safety when buying a house, be sure to take this into account, as it can not only affect your well-being but also any potential resale value of the property at a later time. Avoid buying a home without taking crime levels into account.

Luckily, the FBI provides a very easy tool that enables users to quickly compare crime rates and trends based on federal, state, and local data. This is just one potential tool but the most effective one.

Beyond dry data, there also exist local forums like Nextdoor, and it is possible to follow other neighborhoods to get a general sense of the area. Likewise, there are often relevant Facebook groups for a particular neighborhood, city, or district, but access to these may be limited to locals. Nonetheless, this is an avenue of investigation worth exploring.

man walking on construction site
Photo by Guilherme Cunha / Unsplash

3. Avoid homes with high-maintenance features beyond your capabilities: outdated wiring or plumbing, or infestations 

Although a big beautiful yard, elegant garden, or luxurious swimming pool can appear super attractive when touring a property, be realistic about your ability to maintain these faciliies, and also keep in mind the cost of doing so.

Just taking the example of the yard raises numerous questions: Will you be able to maintain the lawn on your own, or will you need to hire someone? Are you prepared to invest in the proper equipment in either case? Do keep in mind that depending on where you live, you may be required to perform some level of upkeep, so just letting things grow out may not be an option.

The next point to consider is if the wiring and plumbing are up to the necessary standard, or if it will need to be updated. Don’t neglect this step even if the property is relatively new–it’s always better to be safe than sorry. In general, it may be worth the investment to hire a professional to inspect the wiring and plumbing for you. While laws may vary about what a seller must disclose, the task of proper due diligence should be assumed to be on you, the buyer. Do not assume a guarantee of a bright (or safe) future just because all the light switches in the home flip on without issue. Outdated plumbing or wiring can not only be an inconvenience or an extra expense, but it can also be a safety risk.

Finally, let’s talk about pest infestations — from mice to bedbugs, termites, and beyond. Solving the issue of pest infestations can be extremely difficult in some cases, and it’s better of course to be aware of the situation from the start. As above, there are numerous guides available for signs to help spot these cases, but a certified inspection may be the wiser choice. Just as with the previous point, just because you didn’t see signs of any critters, doesn’t mean this is an accurate picture of the situation.