Every house has its advantages and its disadvantages. There are bound to be things that you adore and things that put the decision on the fence. Not every bad thing about a house should give you a reason to turn it down. However, there are four things in a home that, if you do catch it before you’ve already bought it, should convince you to stay clear of the house.

1. Look Up Before You Walk In
One of the most important things that you need to do is look up. The roof is an indicator of how well the house, as a whole, has been cared for. If the roof is old and falling apart, then you’d better move onto the next house unless you’re looking to remodel within the first few months of owning a home. Replacing a roof can be expensive if you choose to go through with the purchase despite the roofing. You’re looking at another $10,000 to replace the whole thing. Then, you’ll also have to worry whether the roof had any leaks before and whether anything in the ceiling needs to be replaced as well. A bad roof also leads to worries about mold and mildew on the inside of the house. So, before you buy, get a ladder and check out the roof.

2. Check Out the Plumbing
Plumbing is essential for most people. If you’re one of the few people who doesn’t use indoor plumbing, then feel free to move on to the next point. But for the majority of people still reading, you need to check the plumbing in the house. Replacing the indoor plumbing in a house is an extensive job (not to mention extremely expensive). If you choose not to replace the plumbing, then you could be dealing with sewage leaks, backed up pipes, clogged sinks, and toilets, and the list of horrors goes on and on. Before you buy the house and leave to celebrate with low carb fast food, make a point to ask about the plumbing.

3. Take the Temperature of the Home
If you’re walking into an open house, chances are the seller tried to make the temperature as pleasant as possible. We’re keenly aware of the temperature of certain rooms. If it’s too hot, we get flustered and nervous. If a room is too cold, we become closed off and suspicious. When you’re taking the temperature, make a note of how hot or cold the house is. If the temperature is off, you might have an insulation problem or a problem with the heating or cooling systems. Neither of those problems would be something that you would want to worry about with a brand new home. If there is something off, then ask about the system. Make sure that they already have something installed and ask about how old the system is. If it’s old, consider your priorities. Do want your air conditioning to break during the heat of the summer?

4. What’s the Area Like?
Before you buy a house, you need to know that it’s not just the house that you’re buying. You’re also buying the land and a small part of the neighborhood. Make sure that you like the property that the house is on and that it fits all your needs. If you have a dog, you’ll want some sort of backyard to accommodate your dog’s needs. Also, do some research about the area before buying the house. Is the prone to fires or other natural disasters? When was the last natural disaster in the area? Make sure that you’re comfortable with the information that you get. You don’t want to live a place that would put your family at risk.

The most important thing is that you love the house that you live in. You want to make sure to avoid any major issues that could take a chunk or two out of your bank account. So, before buying, go through the list of questions that might not be your first questions to ask. Make sure the seller isn’t trying to hide anything. Then, decide whether you love the house.