Maintaining a single-family rental property can be an effective way to produce income and build equity. When shopping for your next Wolfforth investment property, it is vital to be conscious of the signs of a poor-quality renovation. A bad renovation can lead to costly repairs down the road, so it’s important to know what to look for before you buy. In what follows, we will discuss some of the most common signs of a poor-quality renovation. We will likewise deliver tips on how to avoid these poor renovations.
1. Mismatched Flooring
One of the most frequent signs of a poor-quality renovation is mismatched or poorly installed flooring. Let’s suppose you see carpet that doesn’t line up with the baseboards, chipped or cracked tile, or many types of flooring in differing degrees of quality. In that case, it is a good indication that the property was not renovated properly.
2. Fresh Soil or Paint on Foundation
Another possible sign of trouble ahead is a freshly painted foundation or fresh soil piled up against it. As foundations age, they can shift and create cracks and leaks. Homeowners may try to hide foundation problems with paint or fresh soil, so remember to have a professional inspection done.
3. Wavy Shingles
If the property owner maintains that new roof, check carefully for wavy shingles. Sometimes a seller will cut corners trying to fix up the property to sell, using low-cost materials, or simply nailing new shingles over old ones. Layered shingles could be trying to cover more serious structural problems and may void the warranty on the roof itself. For all these reasons, if you see wavy shingles, your best move is to investigate further.
4. Water Damage
Another critical sign to look for is water damage. Several things can cause water damage, but most commonly, it results from poor drainage around the foundation or leaks in the roof. If you see water stains on the ceilings or walls, around HVAC registers, under cabinets, or evidence of mold or mildew, be sure to have the property inspected by a professional before making an offer.
5. Sticky Windows and Doors
Another sign of a poor-quality renovation is windows and doors that don’t open and close appropriately. If the windows and doors are stuck or are hard to open or close, it’s a good indication that they were not installed properly. Doors and windows that don’t fit properly in their frames can cause serious complications down the road, so be sure to ask about them before you buy.
6. No Permits
If the property you are considering has had any new renovations, don’t forget to ask for proof that the proper permits were obtained. If the seller cannot provide permit paperwork, or if you can’t find permits issued by the local building authority, it’s a good sign those proper procedures were not followed when renovating the property. Unpermitted work can lead to inadequate quality and even safety hazards for you and your tenants.
7. Unfinished Renovations & Additions
Finally, be sure to check the quality of any new construction. If you see nails sticking out of wood or trim work, or drywall that is not evenly finished, it’s a good indication that the work was done in a hurry and not to a high standard. Large new additions, such as decks, patios, and entire rooms, should be examined for shoddy workmanship. This is because things like unsecured flooring, faulty wiring, or other hazards could cause serious problems for you down the road.
You don’t want to re-renovate a rental property shortly after you purchase it. So do your due diligence to avoid investing in a money pit.
Another wonderful way to feel confident in your investment property purchase is to enlist the help of local market experts. At Real Property Management Services, we help rental property investors locate and assess quality properties. To learn more, call our office and speak to a Wolfforth property manager today!
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