Every neighborhood has one. That one house that looks a little rough around the edges. It just gives off a vibe that says “Helppppp somebody save me!”
Truthfully, the houses that scare me aren’t the ones that LOOK haunted. They’re the ones that look totally fine while something expensive is quietly happening where you can’t see it.
One thing real estate has taught me is that houses usually whisper before they scream.
It’s the tiny water stain you keep walking past. The weird smell you’ve decided is just “how the basement smells.” The gutter that overflows in the exact same spot every time it rains. The water heater that’s been making a noise for six months that everyone in the house has apparently agreed to ignore.
None of it feels urgent because nothing is actively on fire. Yet.
And that’s exactly why October is a really good time to put some eyes on your house before winter.
A few things I’d check as a Realtor who has seen it all…
Roof and gutters - Look for missing shingles, anything that looks off and gutters packed with leaves.
Water heater - If you don’t even know how old yours is, this is a great time to find out and make sure everything looks and sounds like it should.
Furnace/HVAC - Get it serviced before the first freezing night when everyone else in town remembers they should probably do the same thing.
Foundation - Take a look around for cracks you haven’t noticed before or anything that appears to be changing. If something concerns you, have a professional take a look.
Windows and doors - Feel for drafts and check weatherstripping before you’re paying to heat the neighborhood all winter.
Basically, walk around your house like you haven’t seen it every day for the last five years.
Notice the stuff you’ve trained yourself to stop noticing.
Most home problems are a whole lot less scary when you catch them early. And if you need a second set of eyes or a referral to somebody who actually knows what they’re looking at, just say the word!
Jan
Your Union County Family Realtor