In a hot market it’s easy to be blinded by the competition and succumb to the pressure to make an offer on a home before you’ve adequately assessed it. If you’re looking to buy a home this summer, use these four tips to uncover hidden flaws before you put your offer in.
1) Hire A Pro
One of the most reliable ways to identify potential and existing problems within a property is to hire a professional home inspector to evaluate it. Home inspectors are trained to find issues that the average person may overlook, which can save you from putting in an offer on a money pit.
2) Do It Yourself
If you can’t afford to hire a home inspector, conduct a thorough home evaluation yourself. Ensure that the roof doesn’t have any significant damage or leaks, check window caulking for holes, and scan the basement thoroughly for asbestos and black mold.
Within the house, pay special attention to the bathrooms for leaks around the tubs, showers, and toilets, as this may indicate leaky pipes which can be a costly fix. Likewise, check underneath the kitchen sink and around appliances for leaks, which may also be a sign of a more expensive fix.
Even if you’ve hired a home inspector, always inspect the home yourself to the best of your ability. The more sets of eyes that look over the property the better, and you may find small problems that aren’t considered huge deficiencies to an inspector but may be deal breakers for you, such as peeling paint or cracked tile.
3) Seek Strata Minutes
If the home you are looking at is a condo, ask for copies of the strata minutes. Strata minutes serve as a record of any past issues that the building has had and will include notes on any upcoming costs that are already identified. Take these into consideration when estimating your condo fees and the value of the property.
4) Hire Help
Real estate agents can not only take a lot off of your plate when it comes to buying a home, but they also possess specialized knowledge and experience in uncovering flaws in homes. They know what to look for!
A real estate agent will take care of the property research for you, sifting through past strata notes or pointing out any deficiencies that they can identify when you are considering a home. With a trained professional on your team, you are more likely to find issues that could devalue the property.
Ready to find a home that’s fit for you? Get in contact with me today – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.
Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth
22625 W Kimberly Drive
Buckeye, AZ 85326
$559,900
4
Beds
2.5
Baths
3,689
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6780364
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Two-story property on a highly desirable corner lot! The 3-car garage w/extended driveway allows you to bring all your toys, cars, and trucks. PLUS. Garage has an electric charging station!!! Enjoy your morning coffee on the welcoming porch. Delightful interior greets you with a main level boasting carpeted living room, formal dining, custom paint finishes, tile flooring in the right areas, pre-wired surround sound in the family room, powder room, and double-door den/office. The kitchen has tile counters, center island, SS appliances, wood cabinets, and walk-in pantry. Upstairs bedrooms, soft carpet throughout, and large loft. The oversized main suite features plenty of space for all your furniture, walk-in closet and bathroom has dual sinks. Spacious backyard, Pool, covered patio.
720 E Chilton Drive
Tempe, AZ 85283
$559,900
4
Beds
2
Baths
2,079
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6779679
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Lovely 4 BR 2 Bath POOL + SPA + 2 CG! New Roof 2024. Located in Tempe (w/ no HOA). featuring amazing characteristics! This home sits nestled on a lot with a slight incline in the front yard creating a pleasing aesthetic to the curb appeal. An atrium perfect for plant lovers leads to the double door entry that opens to a sunk-in formal living area w/ vaulted ceilings accented by abundant natural lighting. The kitchen is complete w/ wood cabinets & opens to a spacious living & dining area complete w/ a wood burning fireplace. The main bedroom offers a bathroom w/ dual sinks & a walk-in closet. The backyard is ideal for entertaining w/ a large covered patio, sparkling pool w/ waterfall & an inground spa.
2214 N 28th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008
$559,900
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,605
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6782638
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Come take a look at this 3 Bedroom 2 bath single level home home in Great central Phoenix. Enter into a spacious family room with tile floors wall to wall throughout the entire house. The open kitchen provides plenty of counter space on beautiful granite counters and a breakfast bar attached to the large living room. Both front and backyards are low maintenance, and have the opportunity for your green thumb to transform them. Come check your future home quickly before it's gone.
2110 Leisure World --
Mesa, AZ 85206
$559,900
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,666
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6785475
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This is an amazing, golf course property that you can not miss. The home sits on the 14th fairway of Coyote Run and faces south for the winter sun. The back patio has a large covered area with an outdoor kitchen and pavers all the way out to the wall for a huge area to entertain. This split floorplan has high vaulted ceilings in the main living areas and primary bedroom and bathroom. The kitchen has newer stainless steel appliances and opens up to the back patio. The home comes with all the furniture inside and out and even a golf cart. All this in the Premiere Active Adult Community of Leisure World with 36 holes of private golf, new tennis complex, pickle ball, swimming pools, library, state of the art fitness center, theater, arts and crafts, billiard room, and much more!
4354 E Rosemonte Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85050
$559,900
3
Beds
2.5
Baths
1,751
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6784284
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Move-in ready and immaculate home in the gated Tatum Village community! Ideally located near the community pool and playground, this home offers a fantastic location just minutes from Mayo Hospital, Desert Ridge Marketplace, the redeveloped Paradise Valley Mall, Scottsdale attractions, and easy access to Loop 101 and HWY 51. This beautiful home offers modern design with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage. Newer HVAC 2022, Newer Fridge 2022, Newly installed RO & Garbage Disposal 2023.
20047 N 109th Drive
Sun City, AZ 85373
$559,900
3
Beds
2
Baths
2,246
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6787401
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
ntroducing this beautiful home in the highly sought-after Ventana Lakes! This gem displays a 3-car garage and low-care landscape. Inside, you'll find tall vaulted ceilings complemented by tile flooring, dual pane windows, and mirrored walls in the living & dining room. Desirable great room offers a gas fireplace and sliding glass doors that connect seamlessly to the back patio, creating an easy flow for indoor-outdoor living. High-end SS appliances, abundant honey oak cabinets, a two-tier island with a breakfast bar, track lighting, newly installed India marble counters, and a breakfast nook complete this impeccable kitchen. Large romantic main retreat will impress you with a sunny bayed window sitting area, an ensuite with two vanities, and a walk-in closet. Don't miss the dedicated office space. Create lasting memories in the spacious backyard, featuring a screened-in patio, fire pit, and citrus tree. Act now!
7136 W Noble Prairie Way
Florence, AZ 85132
$559,900
3
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,461
SqFt
Status
Active Under Contract
MLS #
6763419
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
STUNNING ENDEAVOR w/LUXURY UPGRADES! This 3-bed+den/2.5-bath home offers a perfect blend of style & function! Double slider opens to extended paver patio w/gas fireplace & lush landscaping next to Open Space! Plantation shutters,10' ceilings w/curved arches, beautiful entertainment center w/surround sound highlight the Great Room! Chef's kitchen inc. granite counters, tiled backsplash, stainless appliances, gas cooktop, butler's pantry & walk-in pantry. Primary suite has a bowed window, double vanities & makeup vanity, walk-in custom tiled shower & spacious closet. Split 2nd & 3rd bedrooms share Jack-&-Jill bath, Den w/French doors offers versatility! Additional perks: 2-CAR w/4' EXTENSION+CART garage w/storage, PREPAID SOLAR lease & TOWN OF FLORENCE BOND PAID IN FULL! **A MUST SEE HOME!
4422 W Adobe Drive
Eloy, AZ 85131
$559,900
2
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,198
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6769583
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This lovely home features upgraded kitchen appliances with 42'' cabinets, convection oven, under cabinet lighting, wall mounted hood and quartz counter tops. Flooring has wood-looking tile and upgraded carpeting in the bedrooms. The back patio is fully screened to create your Arizona room where you can relax and listen to the water feature in the back yard and look out on the desert common area behind this grand home. Come by today! Furniture is available for sale on separate invoice.
26001 S Drifter Drive
Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
$559,900
2
Beds
2.5
Baths
1,979
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6635749
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Spectacularly remodeled 2 bdrm+Den & 2.5 bath home on HUGE corner lot w/ low maintenance yard, large covered patio, & a beautiful fountain w/new pump. New cabinets & quartz counters throughout home w/ HUGE Kitchen Island. Ample storage incl. HUGE pantry w/barn door! Large beautiful wood-burning fireplace. New AC unit on roof & new Split-System. New roof w/ transferrable warranty. Solar panels prepaid w/nearly 8 years left on FULLY prepaid solar assignable lease. All floor-level windows are new. Brand new SS appliances incl. fridge, drawer microwave, & wine/soda fridge convey. New plank tile floors throughout. New water heater. Both showers are newly tiled w/lge glass enclosure in master & separate tub for soaking. All new fixtures + ceiling fans w/remotes! Fresh paint in/ out. OWNER/AGENT
913 S Del Rio Court
Apache Junction, AZ 85120
$559,900
5
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,193
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6699419
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
You've just discovered the most beautiful ready-to-move-in 5-bedroom home in the east valley. This is one, of the rather hard-to-find, Daylight VIP Finished Basement homes with super Solid 2X6 construction providing years of strength & durability. This rare and wonderful home is nestled in Sonoran Wells, a quiet, well established smaller community, super close to the Superstition Mountains offering views, trails, and hiking galore. There are a great many amenities providing convenience & comfort that come with this home in particular. Here are just a few of the convenient benefits & features: 1) A Fully updated remodeled gourmet GAS kitchen with all easy to maintain stainless steel appliances, Dual cooking Ovens, a professional 5-burner GE Profile cooktop, a Super quiet KitchenAid ... dishwasher, a GE Profile Side-by-Side 36-inch Refrigerator Freezer, a GE Profile Microwave & with built-in Hood Fan, a magnificent wrap-around granite island & breakfast bar, a cozy eat in kitchen breakfast nook, rich mahogany 42-inch custom staggard cabinets with ultra handy pull-out cabinet drawers, gorgeous granite counters, a large food storage pantry, a commercial style flex faucet and oodles of extra storage. 2) Another very special aspect of this home is of course the spacious fully finished Day-Light basement with windows! There are 2 additional bedrooms, a large rumpus room for just about anything you can conceive (Office, game room, theater, business, yoga/workout), a full bath & shower, safety escape ladders in the window wells, and the essential basement sump-pump to keep things dry & protect the home. 3) One of the more obvious reasons to consider this home in particular is that it has 5 wonderful bedrooms. 2 bedrooms downstairs, 2 more main floor bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom, and finally, the expansive main floor owner's quarters with a soaring vaulted ceiling, a private en suite bathroom featuring a large luxurious day-lite soaking tub, a spectacular gleaming glass block snail type walk in shower, two sinks, a separate facial station with lower counter, a large walk-in clothing closet, and a separate storage closet as a bonus. With rooms to spare, this home could be the answer to a multitude of ordinary or special circumstances: multi-generational, live-work, shared living, family, and/or just enjoying and having the space to spread out and relax. Other worth mentioning amenities include: An HVAC Cooled spacious 3-car garage with insulated garage doors and ceiling storage racks, an Ultra Quiet 55+ Ownership golf course community behind the home so there is plenty of peace and quiet to enjoy, plantation blinds and ceiling fans throughout the home, sunscreens, washer/dryer, soft water system . . . and more! if you have read this far, you may want to have a close look at the current comps - this home is priced beautifully. Please stop by today and see how wonderful life can be.
13447 W Ballad Drive
Sun City West, AZ 85375
$559,900
3
Beds
3
Baths
2,618
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6696003
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
You are going to love this home! Briarwood CC Golf Course Corner lot. Remodeled 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home with a convenient double front door entry, vaulted celing in the Front Room/Dining Room. New granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. New Stainless Steel Appliances and tile and carpet flooring throughout. All cabinets have been painted and popcorn ceilings have been removed. Master Bedroom has a dressing table, walk-in closet and private entry adjacent to the Rose Garden. Back Porch is an enclosed Arizona Room. The Back Porch/Garage floors have been coated and sealed. 2.5 car garage (room for a golf cart) is a handyman's delight with workbenches and lots of storage cabinets. Enjoy this Sun City West treasure! Comes with a CC membership. ARMLS CMA value of $600,270
860 E Paradise Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85022
$559,900
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,786
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6741464
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
*HOME INTERIOR IS BEING PROFESSIONALLY PATCHED AND PAINTED IN NEXT 2 VWEEKS!*Exceptional value on this turn-key, fully remodeled desert ranch home. Greentrails is special enclave in Moon Valley that offers outdoor enthusiasts walking/jogging paths and access to mountain trails right inside the community, along with a private park, playground and sprawling greenbelt just steps away. This home captures the essence of AZ living with gorgeous surroundings, remodeled interiors and charming outdoor spaces, located on a cul-de-sac lot. Exceptional curb appeal with easy-care landscaping, slump block exterior and entry courtyard. The fresh remodel brings luxe finishes and modern appeal, in an open floorplan. Wood plank tile flooring is paired with neutral paint throughout. The updated kitchen features white shaker-style cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, granite counters and a breakfast bar. This home features an open floorplan and no interior steps. Retreat to the split primary suite which opens to the rear patio and features a large walk-in closet and remodeled private bath with fully-tiled shower, double sink vanity, dual flush toilet and tile flooring. The hall bath is also fully-remodeled. All bedrooms have closet organizing systems and ceiling fans. Whether you are dipping into the renovated pool ('20) or entertaining under the spacious covered patio, you'll find that the rear yard offers opportunities for year-round enjoyment. The pie-shaped lot provides room for potentially adding a casita, which is now legal in Phoenix. A side parking slab leads to an RV gate and gravel parking area beyond. Home is located in the Paradise Valley school district and is nearby many local staples/destinations along with the best culinary, retail, and entertainment epicenters.