The Biggest Red Flag To Look For When Buying A Home In A Neighborhood

It's important to do your homework when buying a house. After all, it's a major decision that will impact you and your family for years to come, whether positively or negatively. There are red flags you should never ignore when hunting for your dream home, even if you find the perfect one with an extra bedroom and incredible backyard. But there's one that should always set off your radar – a lot of "For Sale" signs on the same street. It could be a coincidence that a number of neighbors are selling their homes at the same time, but there could also be another reason for it. That is why it's a good idea to do a bit of detective work beforehand.

Millions of homes are sold in the United States every year. Not all of them lead to positive experiences, though. A bunch of "For Sale" signs in a neighborhood could be an indicator that everyone is trying to move for a specific reason. Talk to your realtor to find out if there has been an influx of listings in the area or ask how many times the home has changed hands. Keep in mind that there are some questions your realtor might not be willing to answer.

There are many reasons why it's important to research the neighborhood you're interested in, especially if it has multiple listings. One possibility could be that the crime rate is on the rise. Other reasons could include a lack of job opportunities, a declining school system, or nuisance neighbors. Take the time to look into the area's crime statistics, which can typically be found with a quick search online. Research the school district and talk to neighbors. Also, check to see if there are numerous empty businesses, which could indicate a neighborhood in decline, according to realtor.com.

While a sea of "For Sale" signs could give you pause, it doesn't necessarily mean there is a nefarious reason behind it. It could be a matter of an aging community looking to downsize or retire elsewhere. There's also a best time to buy a home, so perhaps more neighbors are taking advantage of that window of opportunity. Or it could just be because the community is brand new.

The most important thing to remember is to seek out answers to any questions you may have. Buying a home should be exciting, and you don't want regrets. Be sure to look for other red flags inside of the house such as water damage, cracks in the foundation, or a price that seems too good to be true.