Ask a REALTOR®: What Red Flags Do You Watch for During Home Showings or in Listings?

Wahi Realtor Barb Funt tells us what to look out for when viewing listings and attending showings.

By Josh Sherman | 2 minute read

When viewing listings online or for sale IRL, homebuyers should be aware of potential red flags to avoid problem properties.

With 25 years of experience in the industry, Wahi Realtor Barb Funt has seen it all.

Over that time, one of the common issues she’s encountered is listings that aren’t quite what they seem to be. She’s also developed a sixth sense to detect these potentially problematic homes. 

To help house hunters navigate the early stages of their homebuying journey, Wahi asked Funt to give us a rundown of red flags to watch out for while scanning real estate listings or attending showings. 

1. The price is too good to be true (or too expensive) 

It’s the number one biggest thing to watch out for, because a lot of houses are listed below market value. It’s hard to know if you’re first out there looking. The first thing to ask: Is this priced at market value, or is this priced to generate competing offers? 

House hunters can check Wahi’s Home Value Estimator to get a quick estimate of not only their own property but also any others they’re viewing. Every Wahi listing contains an Estimated Value in the Highlights section, just below where the list price appears.  

On the flipside, a seller could be asking for more than their home is worth. If a price seems too high, look at how long the home is on the market. If it’s been sitting there for months, that’s a good indication that it may be overpriced.

2. There aren’t any (or many) listing photos 

If there are no pictures, the home might be a disaster inside. Sometimes photos can be deceptive as well. They can make a place look bigger than it is, so take notice of the square footage in the listing. Check if there’s a floorplan. Watch out for virtual staging, too. Virtually staged images can help potential buyers visualize what empty rooms look like fully furnished, but they can distract from the quality or characteristics of the actual living space.

3. The listing includes red-flag phrases 

Keep an eye out for certain phrases, or euphemisms in the listing:

• As is
• Needs your TLC
• Just waiting for your personal touch
• Great opportunity
• Good bones
• Fixer upper 

You’ll see these words in listings, and they always mean one thing: the home needs work or renovations.

There are other possible red flags. For example, if the listing describes a neighbourhood as “up-and-coming” it could be a bit rougher around the edges — or worse. A property that’s advertised as “tenanted” could lead to headaches if you need to go through the evictions process. Even something that sounds like a selling point — like “just steps from the TTC” — could pose issues. Do you want to live right above the subway line and have trains rumbling beneath your home at all hours? You want to read listings with a very critical eye. 

4. Sky-high maintenance fees

If you’re in the market for a condo unit, pay close attention to the listed monthly maintenance fees. They’re calculated by the size of a unit and cover everything from building maintenance to contributions to the building’s reserve fund, which is for major repairs. However, a high per-square-foot rate may be a sign of building mismanagement. Similarly, super low fees may look great on paper, but a big hike could be on the way for the next owner.

5. The neighbouring homes are a mess  

Look at your surroundings. Especially if you’re in the market for a semi, town, or row house, it’s important to look at the neighbouring homes. You’re going to be sharing a wall with these households.

Before even entering the home that you’re viewing, assess the general upkeep and state of repair of the neighbouring properties. If there’s junk piled up in the backyards or the properties look rundown, you might not have the best neighbours. Maybe you don’t care right now, but this can affect resale value and make it harder to sell your property when you’re ready to move on.

6. Something doesn’t smell right 

Follow your nose. When you get inside the house you’re viewing, I would say the first thing to note are the smells. When you go downstairs in a house, if you notice a mouldy odour, that’s a tell-tale sign of water damage. Paying attention to odours could also help you detect whether or not the home is a smoke-free or pet-free environment and more.

7. There are cracks or other visible signs of damage 

Small cracks or imperfections could be signs of major structural issues. Look up: check ceilings for any hairlines. Scan for warping or anything that seems crooked. If you can tell that a reno has been done, make sure that it’s to code.