Whether you’re buying or selling a home, a helpful saying to keep in mind is the one about recognizing a duck:
“If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then it’s a duck!” As silly as it
might seem, it provides wisdom when applied to the real estate market.

People sometimes tend to overlook, justify or gloss over potential or actual problems with a home they’re buying or
selling. Some problems are overlooked more often than others.

Selling a home

One false assumption home sellers sometimes make it that prospective buyers won’t notice or care about small
imperfections. Things you might have become accustomed to living in the home are glaringly obvious to a buyer –
think broken tiles in the bathroom, peeling paint on the front steps, cracks in the ceiling or mold in the
basement. 

While there are many ways to sell your home more quickly, sometimes the little things make the biggest impact.
Inspect and consider every element of your home with an objective viewpoint – or ask a neutral third party for help.

Buying a home

While optimism is an essential state of mind to cultivate when you’re navigating the sometimes bumpy road of house
hunting, it’s also important to balance a positive attitude with a bit of caution. If you get too caught up in the
excitement of buying a new house, you might miss red flags along the way.

The best thing to do is hire a trusted property inspector. If you’re interested in a property, an inspector will make
sure you don’t miss anything, big or small. A professional inspection will include everything from structural
integrity to the condition of mechanical systems and cosmetic details.

Buying or selling a home is a serious undertaking, and it’s natural to get excited. However, it’s crucial to remain
objective to avoid missing major or minor problems.