According to Realtor Magazine, some of the best days for a home tour are on rainy days. A rainy day can be a home buyer’s best friend. After a storm is a great way to see if there are any issues with a home before you make an offer.
It can also give the buyer a leg up as many buyers would not come out in the rain. In a competitive market like today’s, every competitive advantage counts. According to Apartment Therapy, buyers have an opportunity to learn more about the home than they might on a sunny day.
“Water is one of the most destructive issues for a homeowner, and it also creates issues that can often be missed,” Craig McCullough, a real estate pro in Washington, D.C., told Apartment Therapy. “Leaks in a ceiling, moisture in a basement, and mildew smells are heightened on a rainy day. If these are new leaks, they may not have developed water stains or dissolved drywall yet.”
Finding these issues out before you make an offer can save you time and money. A home inspector does a home inspection after you are under contract and it will cost you between $100 – $1,000. It would be unfortunate to pay for a home inspection just to find too many issues with a house. You then paid for a home inspection on a home you will not be purchasing.
“I have been to lakefront homes where the whole grassy backyard was flooded by water on a rainy day, and the dock the sail boat was tied to was underwater as well,” she says. “Property in low-lying areas, wetlands, or poorly-draining soils can be more easily identified during or after heavy rain,” says Emily Cressey, a real estate agent in Seattle.
Tips to look for after the storm? Buyers should look for water stains on the ceiling, water damage on the outside walls and around door jams, poor drainage spots in the yard, and of course, verify if the roads you would be driving to and from work, gets flooded. Also, take a sniff around and see if you smell any moisture or mildew.
If there is an attic, look for dark spots in the wood, wet insulation, or active dripping. Leaky roofs can be a sign of old age or poor installation and will need to be fixed. If there is a noticeable drainage issue, look for clogged or leaky gutters and downspouts. Go outside and examine how the water moves along the paved surfaces such as the driveway. You want water to run away from your house.
“It’s an incredibly competitive market right now, and anything that gives you an edge is a good thing,” says Mayer Dallal, managing director with mortgage lender MBANC. “And you can always change into dry clothes when you get home.”