10 Things That Scare the Daylights Out of Home Buyers

Buying a house can be as scary as a ghost in the attic. Here’s a countdown of ten things that make buyers shudder more than a rickety front porch at midnight.

Here are ten things that scare the daylights out of home buyers:

10. Surprise Renovations

If you’re thrilled to start a new chapter, then wow! 

You stumble on an unforeseen issue that needs a fast fix. This spooks homebuyers more than finding a family of bats in the belfry. Those surprise repairs can turn your dream home into a house of horrors.

9. Shady Neighborhoods

You might be willing to overlook that ’70s-era shag carpet, but a sketchy neighborhood? No thanks. Safe streets are a top priority for most home buyers. 

Safety is a big-ticket item on the checklist. No one wants to live in a place where the nighttime soundtrack includes sirens.

8. Terrible Schools

We all want the best for our kids. 

If the local school looks more like a haunted house than an institution of learning, that’s a red flag! 

Check out school ratings on greatschools.org before you take the plunge. You don’t want your children’s education to give you the heebie-jeebies.

7. Haunted Houses

And speaking of haunted houses, they’re not just a concern at Halloween! 

Many buyers worry about spectral roommates making an unexpected appearance. According to a Realtor.com survey, the idea of living in a haunted house terrifies more than half of home buyers. 

Who needs that kind of housewarming party?

6. Pesky Pests

From creepy crawlies in the basement to raccoons in the attic, pest problems can spook buyers out of a sale. Buyers fear the expense of pest removal; however, check pestworld.org to learn about pests and their riddance.

5. High-Interest Rates

Imagine paying more for your home over time, but it ain’t even worth that much anymore with its high interest rates! This can turn your homeownership dream into a waking nightmare. 

Check out Bankrate’s guide to see how these rates can throw a wrench in your plans. It’s enough to make any home buyer scream!

4. Mold Issues

A little mold may not seem like much now, but it may quickly grow into a much larger problem. The CDC has issued a warning regarding the health hazards and costs of removing mold.

3. Bad Home Inspections

You thought you struck gold with your dream home, but then a creepy home inspection report pops up, rattling more than just the closet doors. 

The spine-tingling tales shared by This Old House can give you more goosebumps than a midnight flick. From wonky wiring to shaky foundations, these are the things that home buyers’ nightmares are made of.

2. Seller’s Market

In a seller’s market, we feel like we’re blindfolded in a haunted cornfield. It’s like a jump scare around every corner because the sellers call the shots. 

To understand why this can make us jittery, take a peek at Investopedia’s article. Mad competition, sky-high prices, and the pressure to act fast? Talk about a scare-a-thon!

1. Sky-High Prices

The biggest scare of all? 

Exorbitant housing prices! Like a zombie apocalypse, they can turn your home-buying dreams into a terrifying nightmare. According to the NAR’s report, these spine-chilling prices top the list of home buyers’ fears.

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Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.

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