The most successful REALTORS® are the ones who go a step (or 10!) above and beyond the competition to be a trusted source of truth when it comes to a home and its systems. Sadly, the average agent is not trained to walk through a home and consider every item that relates to that home’s performance (or lack thereof). Luckily, our Pearl Real Estate Network Members are far from average and equipped with the tools and knowledge that help them stand out from the crowd. These five red flags may seem relatively unimportant in a home tour, but they can actually indicate a much larger vision of what a buyer can expect after moving in.
1. Dust Particles in the Air
Natural light is typically top of the list on a homebuyer’s “must-haves,” and as an agent, it is always so exciting to time the showing just right so that sunbeams are gleaming through the windows. A common sight with sunbeams, however? Dust particles floating through the air. This typically is an indicator of issues with the home’s ventilation, sealing, and filtration, which negatively impacts the home’s performance and its indoor air quality. This is a great time to bring up performance-based recommendations to the buyers, including setting Maintenance Reminders within Green Door to regularly change out the air filters.
2. Dirty Carpeting
Although it isn’t uncommon to have some discoloration and stains on the carpets of a pre-owned home, keep a close eye on where that dirt is concentrating. Excess amounts around the carpets edging could be a sign that the home’s HVAC system is allowing the air to move too freely throughout the walls, which means that the owner has no control over whether that air is coming or leaving.
3. Spiderwebs
Sure, sometimes we expect to see spiderwebs in less-trafficked areas of the house, especially when they have been vacant for any period of time, but these webs are actually telling us a bigger story. Not only does the presence of spiders (and other insects) within the home indicate that there are gaps and cracks for them to enter through, but also that the spiders will actually build their webs in the leakiest areas of the house for more opportunities to catch their dinner. Explaining this to your clients and recommending a deeper investigation into the home’s leakiness through a blower door test and recommendations to a Pearl Network Contractor will surely position you as an expert.
4. Icicles
’Tis the season in many markets to notice icicles and varying levels of snow melt on a home. While sunlight on the roof and temperature changes will contribute to a certain degree of snow melt, be sure to keep an eye on how extreme the icicles are and the areas of the house they are forming. If a home has several large icicles over it’s conditioned areas, this typically means that the area is not well-insulated. When a home cannot retain its heat well, it escapes through the roof and causes the snow and ice to melt.
5. Damp Basement
We don’t typically blink an eye when we notice that the basement, attic, or other unconditioned spaces within a home have a slightly different climate or humidity level. However, research shows that chronically damp homes and the resulting microbial agents are very bad for our health. There is a misconception that if just one room is constantly damp, it won’t affect the rest of the house. Unfortunately, if that room stays damp, the damp air that potentially carries microbes or mold spores will ultimately get distributed to other parts of the house. This is a great opportunity to recommend an inexpensive temperature/humidity gauge to move around the house and understand where the problem areas are, if any.
With increased indoor air quality concerns due to the pandemic, homeowners are more acutely aware of a home’s performance than ever before. That’s why Pearl Certification empowers its Pearl Real Estate Network Members with the resources they need to market and explain high-performing features to potential buyers. Complete the below form to learn more about becoming a Pearl Real Estate Network Member and distinguishing yourself from the competition.
