Keeping a single-family rental property can be a great way to produce income and build equity. When shopping for your next Toano investment property, it’s vital to be aware of the signs of a poor-quality renovation. A terrible renovation can lead to expensive repairs down the road, so it’s important to know what to look for before you buy. In what follows, we will talk about some of the most common signs of a poor-quality renovation. We will likewise offer tips on how to avoid these poor renovations.
1. Mismatched Flooring
One of the most common signs of a poor-quality renovation is mismatched or badly installed flooring. Suppose you see carpet that doesn’t line up with the baseboards, chipped or cracked tile, or many types of flooring in differing degrees of quality. If this is the case, it’s a great sign that the property was not renovated as it should be.
2. Fresh Soil or Paint on Foundation
Another possible sign of trouble ahead is a freshly painted foundation or fresh soil piled up against it. As foundations age, they can shift and build cracks and leaks. Homeowners may attempt to hide foundation problems with paint or fresh soil, so make sure to have a professional inspection done.
3. Wavy Shingles
If the property owner claims he has a new roof, check carefully for wavy shingles. Sometimes a seller will cut corners trying to fix up the property to sell, using low-cost materials, or simply nailing new shingles over old ones. Layered shingles could be trying to cover more serious structural problems and may void the warranty on the roof itself. For these reasons, if you see wavy shingles, your best move is to investigate further.
4. Water Damage
Another critical sign to look for is water damage. Several things can cause water damage, but most commonly, it results from poor drainage around the foundation or leaks in the roof. If you see water stains on the ceilings or walls, around HVAC registers, under cabinets, or evidence of mold or mildew, be sure to have the property inspected by a professional before making an offer.
5. Sticky Windows and Doors
One more sign of a poor-quality renovation is windows and doors that don’t open and close correctly. If the windows and doors are stuck or are hard to open or close, it’s a good indication that they were not installed properly. Doors and windows that don’t fit properly in their frames can cause severe problems down the road, so remember to ask about them before you buy.
6. No Permits
If the property you are considering has had any current renovations, be sure to ask for proof that the proper permits were obtained. If the seller cannot provide permit paperwork, or if you can’t find permits issued by the local building authority, it’s a good indication that proper procedures were not followed when renovating the property. Unpermitted work could lead to poor quality and even safety hazards for you and your tenants.
7. Unfinished Renovations & Additions
Lastly, be sure to check the quality of any new construction. If you can see the nails sticking out of wood or trim work, or drywall that is not evenly finished, it’s a good indication that the work was done in a hurry and not to a high standard. Big new additions, such as decks, patios, and entire rooms, need to be inspected meticulously for shoddy workmanship. This is because things like unsecured flooring, faulty wiring, or other hazards could cause serious problems for you down the road.
Perhaps you don’t want to re-renovate a rental property shortly after you buy it. So do your due diligence to avoid investing in a money pit.
Another great way to feel confident in your investment property purchase is to enlist the help of local market experts. At Real Property Management VA Peninsula, we help rental property investors locate and assess quality properties. To learn more, call our office and speak to a Toano property manager today!
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