Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 3, 2010
HANDLE WATER PROBLEMS
Sometimes there are defects in a house that the homeowners no longer notice, such as small leaks in the roof or a basement that gets damp when it rains. When the house is on the market, homeowners may not have a sense of urgency about having such defects repaired. The Realtor feels quite differently, however.
Any kind of water problem may appear to be much more serious than it really is. The sellers may regard a damp basement as simply a sign that it’s time to clean the gutters and check the soil buildup around the house. A leaking roof may be seen as a call for new flashing. But to someone who has never owned a home, these defects can be taken as signs that the house may not fulfill their primary need for shelter from “the elements.” People are likely to refuse to buy a house if they think it won’t keep them perfectly dry.
