{"id":7314,"date":"2026-03-18T08:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T12:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=7314"},"modified":"2026-03-18T08:52:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T12:52:03","slug":"undesirable-home-features-whats-not-on-the-deed-can-hurt-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/undesirable-home-features-whats-not-on-the-deed-can-hurt-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Undesirable Home Features: What\u2019s Not on the Deed Can Hurt You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Looking for an affordable home? There are <\/em>affordable U.S. cities<\/a>. Keep your eyes open, though. Some of the homes may need a thorough look before closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affordability attracts hopeful deed seekers. But these potential buyers must be alert to systems that need costly repairs and upgrades. Harvard University\u2019s Joint Center for Housing Studies says an average U.S. household now spends $7,100 per year on home repairs. But costs can go far higher when plumbing, wiring, or foundation problems surface. Meanwhile, insurance isn\u2019t getting any cheaper. Nor are the materials or labor costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titles, too, can have hidden defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Could There Be a Lien That Slips Through a Title Search?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An unknown lien on the title<\/a> might turn out to be a big debt that a buyer gets stuck with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, there\u2019s a title search done for most home sales. Still, now and then, a lien slips past the title company\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agents can help buyers out by getting municipal lien searches<\/em> done. Find out what permitted work has been carried out. And what obligations a local government agency could have placed on the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Municipal liens can relate to old utility or property tax bills, unpaid fees or assessments imposed by homeowners\u2019 associations (HOAs), bills related to local infrastructure, and code violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There could be other kinds of liens and some could even be unrecorded. There can be quirky things like released and reinstated, or misaddressed, tax claims or assessment liens. Unrecorded mortgage releases after borrowers\u2019 payoffs are actually not rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some states allow for mutual indemnity agreements <\/em>that let title companies issue clear titles so loans can be approved and deeds can be transferred. If this occurs in your transaction, work with the title company after closing to remove the underlying cloud on the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At closing, a buyer can get owner\u2019s title insurance by paying a one-time premium. It\u2019s a good idea to have it\u2014for peace of mind alone. \u201cExtended coverage\u201d can protect a deed holder from the consequences of unrecorded tax or construction liens<\/a>. It could spare a buyer from having to pay for past zoning violations. And so on. The title company can explain what\u2019s available and most typically needed in the home\u2019s location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/em><\/strong> Mortgage borrowers pay for a lender\u2019s policy. Only the lender, as the named beneficiary on the policy, is covered. That\u2019s why buying an owner\u2019s title policy matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Know About the Impact of Age and Wear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The National Association of REALTORS\u00ae <\/em>(NAR) points out some areas of the country where the weather has been hard on homes with longer deed histories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many states, disclosure rules are not stringent. It\u2019s closer to a buyer-beware environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the impact of age, wear and tear surface, NAR warns, that dream home may turn out to be a lemon. The National Association of REALTORS\u00ae website, Realtor.com, <\/em>offers a map of the states<\/a> with the highest risk of these \u201clemon\u201d properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you\u2019ll want to look carefully for this effect in Rhode Island, Ohio, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Connecticut. As for cities, heightened due diligence may be wise in Erie, Pennsylvania; South Bend, Indiana; and Binghamton or Buffalo, New York. In these areas, NAR explains, \u201chistorical and midcentury homes are common\u2014as is the punishing weather\u201d that takes a toll over time. Freezing and warming can put pressure on foundations, roofs, windows, and plumbing. Climate impacts can also result in insurers \u201cblacklisting<\/a>\u201d condos and houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where soils are clay-heavy, moisture can change foundations. Cracking and slanting can be signs of value depletion. Beat-up roofs, old electric or heating and air conditioning systems\u2014these can slim down the owner\u2019s return on investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the interior of a home speaks loudly about its age. Even minor details can bring the value down. A separate formal dining room is pass\u00e9, says the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae, which adds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slightly outdated space is forgivable, yet when your home feels like a time capsule, you\u2019ve created a serious obstacle to a sale.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some buyers like the character of an older home, or they like the challenge! But most buyers don\u2019t want a home that\u2019ll be a financial drain. Outdated interiors can hint at the possibility of delayed upkeep. When appliances are older, there could be old electric panels and gunked up piping, too. Interestingly, NAR says a spiffy kitchen can be a major boost to a home\u2019s value: \u201cA kitchen that feels ready often sells the house.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the Buzz About Transmission Lines and Pipelines?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Properties near power lines tend to sell at a discount. They can signify utility easements that limit the use of the property, and power transmission can emit humming or buzzing. Easement restrictions may involve pipelines carrying gas or potentially hazardous liquids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice these indicators, and find out more if you see them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n