Red Flag Checklist when Buying a Home

BY Scott Moore, Realtor | October 3, 2025

Are you thinking of buying a house? Here’s a list of red flags to keep an eye out for:

1: “Fully Renovated” — but only on the surface

• Are there signs of DIY work (uneven tiles, misaligned cabinets)?


• Were permits pulled for renovations?


• What’s the remaining lifespan on the mechanical items- furnace, windows, HWT?


• If the seller is a flipper, what is their track record producing quality work? 


• Are the bedrooms legitimate bedrooms, ie: with closets and egress windows?

2: Overpriced listings that sit too long

• Has the home been on the market longer than similar ones nearby?


• Have there been repeated price drops or re-listings?


• Is it priced above recent comparables in the area?

3: Questionable neighbourhood re-sale value

• Is the area still "up-and-coming" with no major anchor developments?


• Are other homes on the street selling well?

• What’s coming up for the neighbourhood? Commercial or multi-family construction coming soon?

4: Poor maintenance

• Are there signs of patch jobs (fresh paint hiding cracks, quick landscaping)?


• Has there been water damage? (musty smell, bubbling on baseboards or bottoms of doors, stains on ceilings)


• Furnace running loud, excessive dust, lack of service stickers. Dirty filters show lack of care. 


• General clutter or uncleanliness: lack of effort, lack of care


Bottom line: At The Moore Group, our realtors know how to spot these red flags. Did you know that a home inspection can cost upwards of $500? We know what to ask before you make an offer and pay for a home inspection, saving you time, money, and aggravation.