"My dream has always been to buy a house. Once we got in, the slew of shortcuts the contractor took cost us thousands in repairs and new appliances. We need a new AC unit and can barely afford it with the huge rise in property taxes and homeowners' insurance."
"I recently moved into an area that I was unfamiliar with. Trusted my realtor to provide me with the information I needed. Found out afterward that I could have bought a report that's like a Carfax for houses that would have told me all about the permits, the roof condition, the hazards, how close to a flood zone we really are, crime, and registered sex offenders."
"I'm kind of regretting it at the moment. The kitchen sink faucet broke in the middle of the night and dumped a ton of water onto the first floor, which then found its way into the basement. Lost the kitchen and all the floors on the first floor; the basement is getting ripped up to the studs (we just finished it in December). PSA: If you buy a house with quick connection faucets that are five to 10 years old, replace those immediately."
New homeowners encounter frequent unexpected expenses from contractor shortcuts, rising property taxes, and higher insurance premiums. Undisclosed property issues such as hidden liens, inadequate permits, roof problems, flood risk, crime proximity, and uninspected hazards can trap buyers in unsuitable homes. Common sudden failures include aging plumbing quick-connect fittings that cause major water damage and costly floor and basement reconstruction. Practical preventive steps include obtaining comprehensive property reports akin to a Carfax for houses, commissioning thorough inspections, replacing older quick-connection faucets, installing water sensors, and budgeting for appliance and system replacements like AC units soon after purchase.
Read at BuzzFeed
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