| For people buying bank owned houses, the external | | | | they are being sold as luxury homes. These are |
| façade should not be the only criteria when deciding | | | | usually big, deluxe-looking properties that would |
| whether the property is in good condition or is of | | | | attract buyers at first glance. However, they can |
| high quality. The best way to make sure that the | | | | look good on the eye, but might be made of flimsy, |
| residence is habitable and safe is to hire a property | | | | dangerous materials. In short, there are luxury houses |
| inspector. These professionals will be able to identify | | | | that are more into looks than into safety. |
| potential or existing problems in the structure of the | | | | One example is a property that looks luxurious and |
| property. | | | | beautiful, but with its walls built from Chinese drywall |
| Temporary solutions | | | | that has created so many health problems among |
| If a bank-owned residence has been remodeled or | | | | homeowners. Or a house with grandiose stairs and |
| repaired, buyers should make sure that these repairs | | | | ceilings, which looked great but would actually require |
| were done properly. The emergence of house-flipping | | | | a lot of money and effort to be properly aired or |
| has created a market for homes where repair jobs | | | | heated. |
| are done haphazardly, primarily because the one | | | | Sometimes, sellers will require a high price for a home |
| selling the property wants to cut down on costs or | | | | that looks like a dream house; until the buyer gets to |
| because the one doing the house flipping does not | | | | live in it and finds out about the lack of practical |
| have enough experience when it comes to identifying | | | | provisions that cannot be solved by the structure's |
| structural problems. | | | | great look. |
| Hiring a professional inspector can help solve these | | | | When buying bank owned houses, it is important not |
| problems. Licensed or legitimate home inspectors can | | | | to make a final decision based on the look of the |
| identify fixes that were done to temporarily make | | | | structure alone. To avoid some of the misleading |
| the house look good for viewing and those that | | | | sales talk from sellers, hire a home inspector to make |
| would last for a long time. | | | | sure that necessary requirements for a habitable |
| Evaluate Practicality vs Luxury | | | | dwelling are satisfied. |
| Some bank owned houses are priced higher because | | | | |