What are red flags to look for on a home tour?

During a home tour, watch for these red flags: Structural issues: Cracks in walls or ceilings, uneven floors, or doors/windows not closing properly. Water damage: Water stains, mold, or musty smells. Roof condition: Missing/damaged shingles or sagging. Poor maintenance: Neglected appearance may indicate other issues. Outdated systems: Older electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems. Pest infestations: Signs of insects, rodents, or termites. Neighborhood issues: Noise, crime, or school quality. Poor ventilation: Condensation on windows or musty smells. Inadequate insulation: Drafts or uneven heating/cooling. DIY repairs: Amateur repairs or renovations not up to code. Consider hiring a professional home inspector to identify hidden issues before purchasing.

I look for foundation movement, water pressure, age of water heater and HVAC, and roof condition.

If you are looking for one EASY BIG RED FLAG....take notice of any unusual SMELLS when you tour a home. Smells are something you can't see in photos. Smells are often indicative of something underlying that you can't see. First off, if they have a very strong room deodorizer (plug-in for example) there could be an odor that they are trying to mask. A very strong musty odor (not a typical basement damp smell) could mean mold or mildew are growing somewhere (possibly behind a wall), which could indicate either water intrusion or a possible previous leak that wasn't discovered in a timely manner. Pet smells are another one. If you smell an ammonia smell, it could be indicative of something way more dangerous than just a cat or a dog. You should test the HVAC for harmful chemical contaminants that can be traced in the heating/cooling system if tested. Speaking of animal smells, cleaning and/or putting Kilz on baseboards or sub-flooring may not necessarily knock out those odors. Certain pet accidents can actually seep into baseboards or sub-flooring and eventually re-emerge. The same goes for smoke. If you smell a smoky odor, either someone has smoked inside the home, which is very difficult (but not impossible to eliminate) or it could be evidence of a recent wood-burning fireplace use. Some people adore this smell and makes them feel "at home". Wood-burning fireplaces most people either love or hate. That being said, you might see a wood-burning fireplace in a photo but the seller may have never used it, which you wouldn't know until you were in the physical space. I hope this is helpful!

Red flags on a home tour fall into two categories: things that signal significant expense or structural issues, and things that signal a seller who may not be fully transparent. Both matter. In North Carolina and throughout the Southeast, the physical red flags worth the most attention include: water stains on ceilings or walls (active or prior moisture intrusion), musty or damp odors particularly in closets or basements (mold or moisture presence), soft spots in floors near bathrooms or kitchens (water damage to subfloor), cracks in the foundation or exterior masonry that are not hairline or horizontal pattern, windows or doors that stick or do not close properly (foundation movement or settling), and HVAC systems that are clearly older than 15 years or that fail to maintain temperature during the tour. The behavioral red flags are equally important: a seller who insists on being present during the showing and who steers you away from certain areas, recent cosmetic work that seems to cover something (fresh paint in a single room, new flooring only in a specific area), a listing that has sat for more than 60 days with multiple price reductions, and a seller disclosure that is strikingly sparse for an older home. None of these are automatic deal-killers, but each one warrants a direct inspection question and follow-up during your due diligence period. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

When viewing a home, check for the following. Water damage, look for water stains or discoloration on walls and ceilings. Check cracks in the basement where water can appear. Structural cracks, look for cracks in the walls, basement floor, sloping floors. Doors and windows will not close properly. Vertical cracks going up a wall. Mold or Mildew. Mold needs darkness and moisture. Overtime, a musty smell with visible growth becomes obvious. Check neighborhood including nearby homes, upkeep, traffic and nearby business.

You should take a close look at the roof to check for aging, missing shingles or any sagging. Check out the heating, cooling systems and water heater for age. Are the windows in need of replacing - any cracks or moisture in the panes due to loss of the insulating seal. Floors need to be even and not bounce when you walk on them. Always take a look at the electrical panel box to see if it is a modern panel. I've shown many older homes that still have the old school round fuses in them. Always, Always check out basements for signs of water intrusion, cracking walls or shifting cinder blocks. Open the crawl space door to check for dampness or height. Many older homes were built with very low and hard to access crawl spaces. Since NC allows for negotiated non-refundable due diligence deposits it is essential to asses how risky a home might be before making offers and risking the cost of due diligence and a home inspection. It can never be risk free but you and your agent should look for everything that you can spot and then you have to decide if the home is worth that risk. As always have it inspected once you go under contract and know that your agent should negotiate reasonable repairs completed by the seller before you close.

When I am touring a home with my buyers, I suggest that they walk through to get a good feel of the home. Do they see themselves living there? Does it meet their needs? While they are doing that, I am their eyes looking at mechanics for ages. Are there any ceiling watermarks indicating possible plumbing or roof issues? Are there any foundational cracks?

Cracks in walls could indicate structural issues. Also, if it's on a crawlspace don't be afraid to look under the house for water or fungal growth

Big ticket items like AC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, poor water pressure are all things to be watchful of when viewing homes.

If buying in the mountains or uneven terrain- structure and foundation shift. If buying on LKN rules around the lake related to tree removal and building egress.