JournalMost future home buyers say they'd overlook red flags, survey finds
Three in four Americans planning to buy a home within five years say they would overlook red flags in a property – a finding that underscores the role Realtors play in guiding customers through high-stakes decisions. Buyers stretched by affordability may be more willing to overlook red flags, creating an opportunity for real estate professionals to help customers separate workable compromises from costly risks. A new Clever Real Estate survey of 1,000 adults who plan to buy within the next fi...
Miami New Realty
Miami New Realty, original brokerage blog archiveThree in four Americans planning to buy a home within five years say they would overlook red flags in a property – a finding that underscores the role Realtors play in guiding customers through high-stakes decisions.
Buyers stretched by affordability may be more willing to overlook red flags, creating an opportunity for real estate professionals to help customers separate workable compromises from costly risks.
A new Clever Real Estate survey of 1,000 adults who plan to buy within the next five years found that 76% would overlook red flags in a home. The most common reason was a significantly lower asking price, cited by 38% of respondents. Others said seller repair credits or a home warranty would make them more willing to move forward.
The findings point to a practical role for Realtors working with buyers who feel pressure to stay within budget: help them define their true dealbreakers before they fall in love with a house.
Many shoppers said they would consider homes with serious condition concerns if the property otherwise met their criteria. Clever found that 57% would still consider a home with signs of pests, 49% would consider one with mold, water damage or signs of flooding, and 45% would consider a home with major structural issues, such as roof or foundation problems.
That does not mean buyers are careless. If they discovered a major flaw, 39% said they would first seek a professional opinion, while 25% would ask the seller to fix the problem before closing and 19% would negotiate a lower price. Only 12% said they would immediately walk away.
Clever found that more than half of future buyers would consider a home in a flood zone, an area with environmental contamination or a place at high risk of natural disasters if the home otherwise met their needs. This could make inspection strategy, repair estimates and careful offer terms part of the value conversation.
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