Nine red flags you must spot BEFORE buying a home

Avoiding red flags when buying a home is crucial to ensure you do not make a costly mistake you regret.

During a quick viewing, it is easy to get caught up talking about how a property has been decorated or its layout.

However, before buying a home there are a number of issues you need to take note of, including local mobile signal levels and noise in the surrounding area.

Jamie Williams, a property expert at Pure Property Finance, and Fred Jones, chief executive of Upstix, address nine red flags to watch out for before buying a home.

There is little point spending hundreds of thousands or even millions on a property and later discover it has little to no mobile phone signal.

Williams said: 'Most phone websites now have a software where you can enter your postcode and it'll tell you how good the coverage will be before you commit to any sort of contract.'

He added: 'This is something you need to check before buying a home, particularly if you are loyal to one network or you're stuck in a phone contract for a year or two.'

You might visit a property for a viewing once the morning commute is over or before the evening rush hour starts.

However, it is sensible to visit the property at different times of the day and evening to give you the best sense of noise levels at various times.

Unwanted noise can come in many different forms, including neighbour noise, noisy kids in an upstairs flat, road noise or even nearby industry noise coming from commercial sites.

Williams told This is Money: 'If you're interested in a property and you're close to signing the dotted line, take a drive by at different times of the day first.

'If you don't like loud noises at night, take a late night drive to see if there are any neighbourhood parties that go on which might irritate you.

'You don't want to move in and a few weeks down the line find yourself not being able to relax or sleep because of loud events taking place outside your window.'

Check the property from top to bottom for signs of damp or mould when viewing it.

Ask the estate agent if damp or mould is a problem and get a survey carried out to check for any unwanted gremlins lurking in the property.

Williams told This is Money: 'Damp can be hard to get rid of and even when you get rid of it, there may still be an underlying problem that could be costly to fix.

'When viewing a property, check behind furniture, near the windows and in the corners of the ceilings.'

While viewing a property, think carefully about how you would use the space.

A key element of a home is ensuring it has enough natural light throughout. This might not be possible for every room or property, but later down the line a property without much natural light could prove harder to sell.

Williams said: 'Light affects people's mood and how large and spacious a property feels.

'Take a look at which ways the windows face and how much daylight is in each room, as well as any light blockers such as large trees outside.'

A property may be kitted out with a top-spec kitchen and a home-cinema, but if there is not enough storage throughout, you have a problem on your hands.

Williams said: 'Do note during viewings that if there are things like shoe racks out of cupboards or coats on the backs of doors, it could be a sign of not having enough storage space.'

If the seller has stacks of stuff stored under beds, that is also often a sign that there is not enough storage in the property for all their belongings.

As a prospective buyer, you will need to think carefully about whether all your belongings will fit into a property once you move in.

Alternatively, if you buy a home and find you do not have enough storage, you could sell some of your belongings or put some into storage, though the latter can be very expensive.

Moving to an area you do not know can be fraught with pitfalls. Before buying a home in a new location, try and do as much homework as you can to find out about the area, including crime rates, rubbish and fly-tipping levels and antisocial behaviour.

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Williams said: 'If you're new to an area, try and join local community groups on Facebook to get an idea of what a place is like and what's happening in the vicinity.

'Are people talking about cars being stolen? Are people talking about gangs in the area late at night?

'Most neighbours also wouldn't mind if you knocked on their doors to ask a couple of questions about the area, though some may be a little bias about it'.

Also be careful if the neighbour's property is in a state of disrepair.

Jones of Upstix, said: 'A poorly maintained adjacent property can raise concerns about the area’s desirability, hinting at possible antisocial behaviour or general neglect.'

As a prospective buyer, get a sense of how well a property is cared for. Any areas of concern could be costly to resolve.

If the seller will not resolve the issues, you could try getting more money off the property's asking price.

Jones, of Upstix, said: 'A neglected home signals red flags to potential buyers. From peeling paint, an unused swimming pool, or an unkempt garden, visible signs of disrepair can imply deeper, hidden problems.'

Jones advises sellers: 'Fix what you can, price wisely, and prepare to be honest and strategic about what you cannot change.'

Everyone is different and some people won't be bothered by a giant mobile phone tower or pylons near their home. But for some buyers, they could be a major sticking points, particularly if more constructions are on the cards.

Jones said: 'Pylons, mobile phone towers, powerlines, and even wind turbines can be a sticking point.

'Whether it's due to aesthetic concerns, noise or even perceived health risks, these structures can emotionally and visually impact a buyer's willingness to proceed—and the price they're willing to pay.'

Flooding can ruin your home. In extreme circumstances it can force you out of it for months on end while it is being dried out and repaired.

Always check the flood risk in the area you are thinking of buying a property in. You can do this by searching for the postcode on the Environment Agency's flood maps.

Depending on which applies, make sure you check both the risk from rivers and sea and also the risk from surface water flooding.

Jones said: 'Flood zones are becoming an increasing concern, particularly in light of changing weather patterns. beyond potential property damage, high insurance premiums, difficulty securing a mortgage, and the risk of future disruptions make certain homes harder to sell.

'Many buyers will simply walk away rather than take on the risk.'