5 Major Red Flags to Watch for When You’re Touring an Open House

An open house is one of the best opportunities a potential homeowner will have to take stock of a home and determine if it will work for them. However, it can also be a good opportunity to discover some glaring red flags that might make it a less worthwhile investment. If you’re currently perusing the open houses in your neighborhood, here’s some things you should make sure to watch out for.

A Selling Hot-Spot

It’s well and good if you love the home you visit, but ‘location, location, location’ is a popular phrase for a reason. If you’ve noticed a lot of homes for sale in the area, this could be a sign of neighborhood issues that are less than pleasing.

An Odd Smell

Baked goods or room spray are quite common when it comes to an open house, but it’s possible that they’re masking a less-than pleasant odor. Since this can point to a hard home fix-up, it’s worth checking out the closets or the basement where a strange smell can indicate mildew or mold.

A Bad Paint Job

Paint that’s peeling may mean that a few fresh coats are long overdue, but it can also indicate moisture issues in the home that have gone untreated. As this kind of repair can cost a pretty penny, it’s worth determining if there are sealing issues with windows or doors.

A Few Obvious Fix-Ups

A sticky door or a damaged wall may not seem so bad on their own, but if you notice a few things that need to be fixed around the home, it can be a sign that there’s more afoot. If a homeowner has cared for the property during their ownership, it will likely show in small details like this.

Incomplete Construction

It may seem like a good sign to see a house that’s undergoing a renovation, but it can actually be a risk to invest in a home that’s not complete. Instead of leaving this to chance, you may want to check with the construction contractor to determine the scope of the work and when it will be finished.

An open house may be a good time to decide if you’re interested in a home, but it can also be the perfect opportunity to search for deficiencies that may end up costing you.

If you’re currently in the market for a new home, give me a call for more information – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

2522 N 11th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006

$550,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,111 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6742322

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

MOTIVATED SELLERS!!! Discover your dream home in the Coronado Historical District. This newly renovated gem features new windows, flooring, and tile throughout. The stunning kitchen boasts custom Euro-style cabinetry, quartz countertops, and new stainless steel appliances. Enjoy updated bathrooms and an enclosed laundry room with cabinetry and a built-in seating area, perfect for an artist studio or more. Open French doors for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining in the courtyard. The home also offers a brand-new roof with a 10-year warranty, a new hot water heater, turf grass, and front-yard irrigation. Located on a quiet street, yet close to downtown, Roosevelt Row, and Phoenix Country Club. Modern comfort meets historic charm!

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14867 W Windsor Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85395

$550,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

3,098 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6744603

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Get ready to fall in love with this spacious 4-bedroom home boasting 3 full baths, a versatile loft (easily convertible to a 5th bedroom), and a 3-car garage. Nestled in the beautiful Rio Paseo Community in Goodyear. This gem is right in the heart of an entertainment district, surrounded by fantastic restaurants, a theatre, shopping hotspots, walk/bike paths, waterfall pond, parks, and top-notch schools. Step inside to discover a formal living and dining area, a large open kitchen featuring a breakfast bar, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances (including a refrigerator). Downstairs you'll find a convenient bedroom with a full bath. Home is complemented by stylish touches such as stone decor on the kitchen island, a single bowl kitchen sink, new blinds and laundry room with built-in cabinets. Upstairs, you'll be greeted by 3 generously sized bedrooms, including an expansive retreat with double doors, a remodeled ensuite with a separate soaker tub and a spacious walk-in shower, double sinks, and a large walk-in closet. The backyard offers a full-length covered patio, providing ample space for your creative vision. Not to mention, several upgrades have been made between 2022 and 2023, including partial roof replacement, new flooring, water heater, water softener, AC units, upgraded kitchen, and remodeled bathrooms. Conveniently located near the I-10 and Loop 303 Freeways. This home is move-in ready and waiting for you to make it your own!

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19314 S 208th Place Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$550,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,185 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6751638

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

New $11,000 PRICE IMPROVEMENT! Welcome to this beautiful & immaculate Gateway Quarter home. Attractive paver driveway, and charming covered front porch with perfect view of landscaped walking trails across the street. Inside a den/office could be 4th bedroom, and the very open great room & kitchen are perfect for Gatherings of loved ones. Recessed lighting, and durable tile flooring. Gorgeous kitchen w/ crown molding on cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances,gas cook top, a walk-in pantry, and an island with a breakfast bar for casual dining. The main bedroom offers soft carpeting, an en suite with dual sinks, and an enormous walk-in closet. Low maintenance backyard showcases a large covered patio, artificial turf, gravel and Perfect location, Just blocks away from Costco, Aldi, Target, so many restaurants, and a huge tranquil nursery to stroll through.

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501 W Jasper Drive Chandler, AZ 85225

$550,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,961 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6745933

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

***PRICED BELOW COMPS!*** Walk into instant equity in this unassuming gem in Chandler! Motivated Seller. NO HOA!! A great property with HUGE potential! This 4bdrm/2bth home on a large corner lot insulated in highly sought-after neighborhood of Thunderbird Estates in Northern Chandler. Down the street from Knox Gifted Academy (Ranked #1 AZ Public School) and Apache Park (Basketball, Tennis, Racquetball and playground). Home was remodeled in 2019 and included new roof and a/c. There is room for an addition or guest house in the backyard! The interior has all modern finishes. This home's exterior and landscaping is essentially a blank slate, just waiting for a new owner to make it their own! *Perfect for a light-flip or DIY homeowner! PROPERTY FEATURES: a LARGE, gated, pull-through RV pad.

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4565 S Merriman Way Gilbert, AZ 85297

$550,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,793 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6747135

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to 4565 S Merriman Way, a beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offering an inviting living space. The open-concept kitchen features modern appliances, a spacious island, and ample cabinetry. Relax in the elegant master suite with a walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom. The highlight of this home is the entertainer's dream backyard, complete with an outdoor BBQ kitchen, gazebo, fridge, and sink. Enjoy community amenities such as playgrounds, walking paths and tennis courts. Conveniently located near shopping, schools and major highways.

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30061 N 70th Drive Peoria, AZ 85383

$550,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

1,818 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6748482

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Your DREAM home is here in Sonoran Mountain Ranch! Backing the mountain preserve, this beauty offers privacy & serene views. Providing 4 beds, 3 baths, 2-car garage, & a low-care landscape. Home exudes refined style, showcasing an open layout paired with a fireplace, designer paint, archways, & wood-look tile flooring in all the right places. The impressive kitchen boasts SS appliances, granite counters, a double-door pantry, two-tone cabinetry, tile backsplash, & a 2-tier island. The den can be an office or play area! Main bedroom has a double-door entry, outdoor access, and an ensuite w/dual sinks & a walk-in closet. If entertaining is on your mind, the backyard awaits you! With a covered patio, artificial turf, & refreshing pool, this space promises year-round enjoyment. Move-in ready!

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818 N 87th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85257

$550,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,628 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6761025

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Welcome to this spacious home, nestled in the heart of South Scottsdale, and ideal for someone looking for a home improvement project. With some modern updates, this home will easily return to its full potential. It has great bones and a fabulous layout with both a family room and a living room, spacious kitchen, and a pool that's serviced weekly behind a new wrought-iron fence and a newer variable speed pump and filter. New'ish SS appliances are staying, along with the W&D. An atrium off the family room is a perfect place for a flower garden or water feature. This is your opportunity to put your own touches and style on an affordable home in a prime location with a LOW HOA near the 101 and 202, and a 7 minute drive to both Old Town Scottsdale and ASU.

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18001 N 46th Drive Glendale, AZ 85308

$550,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,620 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6751622

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Come see this beautiful 4bed / 2.5 bath home located in the Belair neighborhood on the golf course! Take in the beautiful scenery in your own private pool - You've gotta see this one!

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1036 E Sahuaro Drive Phoenix, AZ 85020

$550,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,735 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6760943

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to the heart of Phoenix. This 3 bedroom 2 bath open floor plan is nestled in the desirable Pointe Tapatio community. Once inside you are greeted with a sunken seating area with a large fireplace. Gaze up to the vaulted ceilings with windows that provide ample natural light. The spotless kitchen has numerous cabinets for storage and a new marble backsplash to complement the granite counter tops. Double doors open to the master bedroom with a California walk in closet and dual sink vanity. Relax in the spectacular backyard with your private pool and covered patio. Multiple recent upgrades: paved front patio, front & back yard timed watering system with all new pipes and drips, new kitchen appliances, backsplash, extra plush carpet and MORE. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME

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2405 E Alameda Drive Tempe, AZ 85282

$550,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,560 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6763280

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This attractive home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2-car garage, and NO HOA! The seller has made significant updates, including removing a wall to transform the sunken living room into an open floor plan with a fireplace. The kitchen features modern grey cabinets, exquisite granite countertops, a black stone backsplash, black stainless-steel refrigerator and gas stove. The secondary bathroom has been renovated with a new tiled shower and a vanity topped with granite and a glass sink. The house has an expansive covered patio stretching from the side to the back, alongside a sizeable storage shed. The spacious diving pool has been renovated with Pebble Tec and outfitted with a new variable-speed pump, along with additional blocks added to the fence for enhanced privacy. Further upgrades consist of an AC unit that is only three years old, an attic fully insulated with blown-in material for greater energy efficiency, and a garage floor coated with epoxy. The front yard is landscaped with xeriscaping for low maintenance. The pool table is included if the Buyer wishes. Conveniently located near restaurants, shopping, and freeways.

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2362 N Kachina Lane Chino Valley, AZ 86323

$550,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,687 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6764850

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home situated on a spacious 1.5-acre lot in beautiful Chino Valley! Imagine unwinding on the large front porch, taking in breathtaking sunsets, or enjoying your morning coffee on the expansive back deck while watching the sunrise over stunning views that stretch as far as the eye can see. The home's prime location offers a scenic view of the Mignus Mountains & tree farm. Inside, you'll find a newly updated kitchen and bathrooms, adding modern comfort and style. The living room is bright and inviting with vaulted ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and abundant natural light. Two of the guest bedrooms feature unique storage lofts, perfect for added space and character. Brand new roof updated in 2023. Just 30 minutes from Prescott and close to Watson Lake, you can easily enjoy kayaking, fishing, and hiking the beautiful granite mountains. With ample room for animals, toys, or simply enjoying the mild four seasons, this property offers a blend of space, comfort, and rural charm. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity!

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6504 W Behrend Drive Glendale, AZ 85308

$550,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,313 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6765381

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Move in Ready! Spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in desirable Arrowhead Subdivision. Features an open concept kitchen to great room, fresh interior paint, and a prime location in Glendale with easy access to the Loop 101. Ideal for comfortable living!

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