Real Estate Deal Breakers & Red Flags

Lack of a yard or outside space.

When you're dealing with an apartment in the heart of Vancouver, this might not be a huge deal, but if you're somewhere less crowded, some form of outside space is essential.

Whether you use it to get some fresh air or sunlight, a little bit of outside space can do wonders for your mental health. Disconnecting from your screens and your phone allows your brain to reset.

Going for a walk has the same effect but being able to spontaneously just step outside to clear your head briefly then back in can be priceless.

Lack of storage space.

You might not notice it until you need to store your Christmas decorations for example, but lack of storage space can impact the livability of an apartment.

Storage doesn't just mean that you will have to buy things in smaller quantities, it also means much more frequent cleaning up and much more clutter to deal with. Whether you're moving spice jars to find the peanut butter or struggling to close the closet door after fitting the vacuum in it, little storage space is a time-waster.

Outdated or extremely busy kitchen.

Speaking of spices and peanut butter, when you're looking at the selling price of a home, you also should factor in things like whether or not there will be repairs when it comes to the kitchen.

Kitchen repairs can be expensive and have a marked impact on the market value of a home. It's in your best interests to find out if that deal you think you're getting is coming with some serious problems down the line.

Too many stairs to the basement, bedrooms, etc.

Some places have unique layouts, but this can be a pain when you're dealing with stairs. A house that's laid out just for your convenience will feel like home more quickly than an awkward layout that forces you to go through the living room every time you want to use the deck.

If the stairs lead directly into areas without a landing it can become annoying for people using an area. Think of it this way: if you want to go to your basement or kitchen but need to go through the living room where there may be people visiting or watching a movie then you would be disturbing them. When buying a house, think of what it will be like to live in it.

Not being set up for kids or pets.

When you're looking at a potential new home opening your doors to kids or pets can either be a bonus or a curse depending on the space available. Some homes might have beautiful hardwood floors, but if there isn't enough space for a playroom it's not going to work.

If you have a dog, think about its size and how it might fit into the layout of the house. If you have kids, remember that they grow up fast, so having a home with enough space to comfortably accommodate both children and adults is vital. Make sure that there's room for everybody including all their friends.

Tight dining room or living space.

When you're thinking about buying a home think of what you'd like to do in the dining room and living room areas. Would you like to host big dinners or movie nights? Or do you prefer smaller groups? Thinking this through might help you find the perfect-sized home.

Remember that the dining room and living room are part of a shared space between you and your housemates or family. Make sure that there's enough seating for everybody to enjoy those dinners together as well as enough space for those who might need some alone time from the rest of the group.

No laundry in the unit.

If your laundry facilities are in the building that will mean a quick trip in the elevator but hauling everything from the basement back to your apartment once or twice a week can become time-consuming - not to mention setting up alarms to go check on your clothes. Worse though is if there is no laundry in the building at all.

Remember what doing laundry will be like in the winter, you will have to lug around your clothes and walk through the snow to get to a laundromat at least once a week. In the cold, this process becomes tiresome quickly. Bigger problems exist, sure, but think about what you're saving on at the end of the day.

Lack of garage parking for more than one car.

If you're single and planning to stay that way, then garage space isn't too much of a problem - unless you need a different vehicle for outdoorsy activities. The home buying process is about finding the right house for you. So, if you're living with a partner or plan to have children then a single-car garage can add a layer of headaches.

It can lead to arguments as to which car gets to be in the garage, issues with parking the other vehicle, and so on.

A house that is too close to an airport.

It might be quiet when you visit with your real estate agent but when buying a house, it's important to know what you're getting into during different hours of the day. It's not the job of a home inspector to find out how often planes fly over the home and so you need to know if you can withstand the noise.

Houses close to an airport may come with some soundproofing but the repeated noise from planes is one of the major issues that make it hard to sell the house for many homeowners. Think ahead to that moment too.

No room for a garden.

If you're someone who loves plants and know you won't be satisfied with only house plants, you need to make sure that you're not locking yourself into a deal where you're unable to enjoy something that brings you a lot of joy. This is why an open house is essential, so you can feel out the space for yourself - it will also let you see how the space works with many people inside and outside the house's four walls.

A property that's not up-to-date on insurance requirements.

Though this might seem like an easy fix, it's the last thing you want to deal with when moving into your new home. More than likely, all of your utilities will be set up and ready to go within a few days. But, insurance on your property is something that can vary from province to province and so things could go wrong if you're not careful.

It may be a problem that only surfaces after move-in and so it's best to be proactive about knowing exactly what your insurance needs are before putting down the deposit on the new place. This is something you should talk to with real estate agents, both as you're selling your old home and buying your new home.

Something about the neighbourhood you don't like, such as trouble with crime, noise from nearby highways, etc...

This is a biggie. It's one thing if you're not a fan of the exterior or interior design, but a neighbourhood that doesn't feel safe will be much harder to give up on.

Before making an offer you should visit the home at night and during the day as well as speak with neighbours about their experiences in the area. And don't just rely on the way it looks; be sure to talk with community leaders and law enforcement about crime in the area.

Unsightly neighbourhood amenities, such as a rundown recreation center or outdated playgrounds in an otherwise good neighbourhood are a giveaway that something isn't quite right. When you're buying you need to feel confident in your purchase.

A house that has a history of energy inefficiency.

It's always a good idea to ask about utility bills and look at them yourself if they're willing to show you. If a home is inefficient then it's going to cost you more money whether it's during winter or summer. Upfront costs may be a little lower, but your energy bills will quickly make up for what you saved on the price of the house. An older home can often have issues with that, so take special care throughout the real estate transaction.

If the seller has only owned the property for a short time and seems in a hurry to sell quickly.

This is a big one, especially if you're looking to land yourself a great deal. If the owner has only owned their home for a few months or less you need to ask why.

It could be that they inherited the place or it's an investment property and so on... but even if there are legitimate reasons for wanting to quickly offload the place, it could signal something's not right.

When you view a house as an investment and plan to hold onto it for several years or more, make sure you don't fall into traps like this one.

This is why you should be proactive about finding out what your home inspector does ahead of time and asking them questions.

Sellers who don't disclose information about the home, such as problems with a leaky roof, structural issues or pests.

The home inspection process is critical, be sure to look over the inspection report carefully. Even if you're legally protected, no one wants to hire licensed contractors and spend more money on a new roof because the sellers were dishonest. If such a thing happens, talk to your real estate agent about what you can do during your due diligence period and beyond. This is a definite red flag.

Any location that is far from your place of employment.

Canada is a big country and that means that commutes can get long. You don't want to spend hours in an office only to spend a long time in traffic before going back to the people you love. Time your travel from the home to your office and think through whether or not it's worth it. Remember, commuting would be a daily occurrence.

When sellers make excuses why they can't keep their home in good condition.

People sometimes fall into bad situations, it happens. However, that doesn't mean you should be dragged down too by dealing with someone unwilling to negotiate.

Buying a house is an important decision, and you need to know your bargaining power and the strength of your dollar when looking at a house that might need work.

Keep in mind what it means to take on a fixer-upper; bringing a house up to building codes is something that takes time. If the seller isn't able to keep the home in good condition it may have to do with the house itself and not their situation.

A seller who doesn't seem willing to negotiate on the price.

Negotiation is part of the deal for real estate. A buyer walks out on a home for a variety of reasons and the seller's unwillingness to bargain can be one of them. It can signal that they are trying to get the house sold for more than its worth or that they are too attached to go through with the transaction.

Inexperienced home buyers may believe that they don't have a choice but real estate agents know that the market changes over time and depends on the area.

Having to go through an in-person interview with the seller, without being able to have someone else present.

This is a massive red flag.

It's easy for a manipulative seller to sway potential buyers by talking about things that are affecting the seller and the sale of the house in an unethical way. Your agent isn't just there to get you a good deal, they're there to protect you legally as well.

A good deal does not come with secrecy and missing shingles on the roof.

If you're being pressured into making an immediate decision.

This one can come from unscrupulous real estate agents too. If you're pressured about buying a house or having homes shown to you that don't fit your specifications then it means that your agent is not paying enough attention to your needs.

Most buyers trust their agents blindly but it's a deal-breaker when you need to correct your agent over and over about your needs. Though it's a process that can be quick, home buying requires home inspections, document review, and sufficient time to think through things before going through with a sale.

A real estate agent gets their pay from commissions and the worst ones only care about that and not whether or not the home fits you.

A home that has poor lighting.

Light has a big effect on your physical and mental health. You need it for specific vitamins and it can even help with some skin conditions. Good natural light also helps your home feel more spacious and alive. Though you may love The Addams Family, it's better to have the option to turn the lights up when it's not Halloween.

A home that's been divided into several units to accommodate more tenants.

You want to choose a house that will give you space and independence, not one that's going to make you feel cramped all the time. A house divided will have an uneven distribution of amenities in terms of quality - not to mention inferior noise suppression and thinner walls than most apartments.

Bad essential systems.

Poor ventilation, an ageing water heater, wonky air conditioning, archaic septic system - these are the things home inspectors warn buyers about. These are the most obvious deal breakers and red flags and that's why they are at the end of the list.

Still, these are worth mentioning at the end of the day. Whether you're visiting million-dollar homes or your first apartment, it's a good idea to keep this list handy.

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