Wait—“great bones” is a compliment, right? Yes—but it’s also realtor speak for “it has potential…that you’ll need to unearth.” If you don’t have the budget for repairs and upgrades, you might want to keep searching. Ditto if they talk about it being a “fixer upper,” and not one that’s been touched by Chip and Joanna Gaines.
4. They *Really* Play Up How Much They’ve Invested
The listing should highlight the finer points of the home, but there’s a big difference between describing the new Calacatta marble counters and beating readers over the head with exactly how much money was spent on each improvement. Knowing how expensive the marble is may make you value it more, but you should weigh it against the cost of comparable homes in the area (and how much of a must-have that marble is to you). If they’re fighting hard to justify the price, ask yourself: Is this house priced too high for the neighborhood?
5. It’s Back on the Market…Again
Maybe the original buyer had a change of heart. Maybe the financing didn’t work out. Or maybe the inspection revealed some serious issues. If the house is back on the market—especially if it’s repeatedly back on the market—that doesn’t mean you should avoid seeing it. It does mean you should investigate why the previous deal(s) didn’t work out. Finding that out ahead of time could save you from paying $300 to $500 on an inspection, if you find out early on that it needs a level of repairs you don’t want to deal with.
