BY MICHELLE HOFMANN
Lou Ann Brannan knew something was wrong with the exterior of a home that she and her buyer client were viewing. Was it just the old-style look of the home's construction, Brannan thought, or was she intuitively recognizing signs of a larger problem?
Better safe than sorry, Brannan, ABR®, a broker-associate with the Beazley Co. in Wallingford, Conn., suggested the buyer get a professional opinion, which revealed that the home's foundation had become unstable as the result of root damage. Brannan's keen eye helped her buyer purchase another property, and the sellers learned of a serious issue that needed fixing.
"I don't know how much longer that situation would have lasted … before the whole wall came down," Brannan says.
While a home is often the main attraction during a sale, Jeff Siler, a certified appraiser in Orange County, Calif., says a careful survey of the land can yield valuable information about a property's overall health. Having a sharp eye like Brannan can help ensure that your buyers know exactly what they're getting into with a potential purchase-and they can negotiate those terms with the sellers or move on to the next property.
Landscape warning signs come in all shapes and sizes, from soil problems and root encroachment to excess moisture, pest infestation, structural instability, erosion, and drainage problems. Cracks in patios and perimeter walls, for example, can indicate chronic foundation problems. Dense clay soils cause excessive runoff and flooding during rain storms. Tilted or uneven streets, driveways, and sidewalks around a property tell tales of soil expansion. And a crack or gap in the junction between the front driveway and the garage in an area prone to landslides could signal that the home and its backyard are moving in unison.
Lose the fear of getting mud on your shoes, says Siler. "Walk the land. Walk every corner. Walk the entire perimeter. And don't be in a hurry."
Some Basic Things to Look For:
Each region has its own set of environmental issues and with so many potential red flags with any home's landscaping, it's hard to know exactly what to look for. But experts say during any visual inspection, real estate practitioners should make note of the following:
- Water features such as ponds, fountains, and brooks
- Bowed or cracked retaining walls
- Leaning or rotting fences
- Damaged railings
- Deck systems and patios that slope toward or pull away from a home
- Tilted and cracked stairs
- Cracks running from windows and doors
"Think about where the water will go if it rains," Spilger says. "If the slope of the property appears to go toward the house, to me that's a red flag. Look for the kind of thing that sticks out at you. If there is an embankment with a tree growing at a 45-degree angle, the salesperson might suggest that the homeowner have that checked out."
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