10 Red Flags to Watch For During an Open House
- 4 February 2026
- Munif Ali
Open houses are one of the best opportunities for buyers to explore a property in person, ask questions, and imagine themselves living in the space. But while everything might look picture-perfect on the surface, don’t let the fresh flowers and modern staging distract you from potential real estate red flags.
Many open house red flags aren’t obvious unless you know what to look for. Some issues can lead to costly repairs, while others may indicate deeper structural or safety concerns. This guide will help you spot 10 critical red flags before you make an offer — and potentially save you thousands.
Red Flag #1: Overwhelming Scent of Air Fresheners or Candles
If the home smells like a perfume counter or is filled with strong candle aromas, the seller might be trying to hide something. Common culprits include pet odors, cigarette smoke, mold, mildew, or even recent sewer backups.
An overly fragrant space may seem inviting, but it can be a cover-up for deeper issues that may only reveal themselves after the sale.
What to Do:
- Step into closets, sniff under sinks, and walk through less-ventilated areas, such as basements or laundry rooms. If the scent disappears in one part of the house but returns in another, your nose may be picking up on hidden problems.
Red Flag #2: Fresh Paint in Isolated Spots
Fresh paint can brighten up a room, but if it’s only on a specific section of the wall or ceiling, it could be hiding water stains, cracks, or patchy drywall repairs. Spot painting is often used to mask signs of past damage.
Any newly painted section that stands out should be questioned.
What to Do:
- Ask the listing agent or seller for documentation of what’s beneath the fresh paint. A reliable seller will provide repair receipts or the contact information of the contractor.
- Don’t assume a cosmetic fix will solve the root problem.
Red Flag #3: Signs of Water Damage or Mold
Water damage is one of the most expensive and health-threatening real estate red flags. Mold, mildew, and rot are signs that moisture has infiltrated areas where it shouldn’t be. This can result from roof leaks, broken pipes, or poor ventilation.
Look for water stains on ceilings, bubbling or peeling paint, swollen baseboards, or musty odors. Mold isn’t always visible. Sometimes it’s behind the walls or under the flooring.
What to Do:
- Use your senses. Smell for musty odors and look closely at ceilings, bathrooms, and basements.
- If in doubt, hire an inspector with a moisture meter or thermal camera.
Red Flag #4: Foundation Cracks or Sloping Floors
A home’s foundation is its backbone. If it’s compromised, everything above it is at risk. Long horizontal cracks, uneven flooring, doors that don’t close properly, or visible gaps in walls and ceilings can all indicate foundation problems.
Foundation repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars and require extensive work.
What to Do:
- Walk through the home slowly and observe how the floor feels beneath your feet. Are you leaning slightly? Do you feel like you’re walking uphill or downhill?
- Don’t skip a structural inspection if you notice these open house red flags.
Red Flag #5: Windows That Don’t Open or Are Painted Shut
Windows should open and close easily for both airflow and safety. If they’re stuck, jammed, or painted shut, it could mean poor maintenance or past water damage.
Windows that don’t function can be a fire hazard and may violate safety codes. In older homes, it may also indicate settling issues or moisture expansion within the frame.
What to Do:
- Test several windows during your walk-through. Try to open and close them. If they resist or feel brittle, you may be looking at a costly repair.
Red Flag #6: Poor Drainage Outside
Water should always flow away from the house. Signs of poor drainage—like puddles in the yard, mildew on the foundation, or soggy soil—can lead to flooding, mold, or foundation damage over time.
Ignoring exterior red flags can lead to long-term problems, particularly in areas prone to storms.
What to Do:
- Walk around the property. Look at the slope of the land, check gutters for blockages, and inspect the base of the home for water stains. If you notice mold or greenish staining on the exterior walls, drainage may be the issue.
Red Flag #7: DIY or Unpermitted Renovations
Unpermitted work might look fine on the surface, but could cause major problems down the road. Look for inconsistent materials, exposed wiring, poor tile work, or makeshift plumbing.
These kinds of real estate red flags often signal that a previous owner cut corners. It can impact insurance, inspections, and even your ability to resell the property.
What to Do:
- Ask if recent renovations were permitted and done by licensed professionals. Your agent can help you verify this with city records.
- Avoid homes with work that can’t be verified. It could become your problem later.
Red Flag #8: Strange Room Layouts or Converted Spaces
Have you seen a garage turned into a bedroom? Or a laundry room inside a closet? Odd layouts can suggest hasty renovations that weren’t done to code.
These conversions may not be properly insulated, lack necessary permits, or be structurally unsound. These quirky choices are clever workarounds for space, but often at the buyer’s expense.
What to Do:
- Question anything that feels awkward or out of place.
- Check whether rooms are legally defined as bedrooms or living spaces. Permitting and safety should always come before aesthetics.
Red Flag #9: Visible Pet Damage
Pets are family, but they can also be destructive. Strong smells, deep scratches on doors or floors, fur embedded in the carpet, or stains could indicate that the home hasn’t been properly maintained.
Animal waste can seep into subfloors, requiring expensive replacements, not just cleaning. Over time, pet damage can also invite pests like fleas or ants.
What to Do:
- Trust your nose and eyes. If you smell ammonia or see scratched-up surfaces, ask if there’s been professional cleaning or restoration. These open house red flags are often easy to spot but expensive to fix.
Red Flag #10: Unavailable Disclosure Documents
A transparent seller should have no problem sharing property disclosures or past inspection reports. If they’re stalling, vague, or flat-out refuse, it’s time to walk away.
A lack of documentation is one of the most serious real estate red flags. It suggests that the seller may be hiding defects or legal problems with the home.
What to Do:
- Always request full disclosure forms. If you’re not given access to inspection reports, repair histories, or known issues, consider this a deal-breaker.
Conclusion
You may not be a contractor, but your instincts matter. If a house feels “off,” listen to that feeling. Many realtors agree that intuition often picks up on red flags before our logic does. Those who ignored their gut frequently ended up regretting it.
If you feel uneasy, keep looking.
At Pacific Playa Realty, our experienced agents know exactly what to look for during open houses. We help protect your investment by spotting potential risks and guiding you through the entire process with transparency and care.
Let our team spot the red flags for you.
Key Takeaways
- Overpowering scents may be masking serious odors or damage.
- Fresh paint in isolated areas can indicate hidden issues, such as water damage.
- Water stains, mold, or musty smells are major red flags.
- Foundation cracks and sloping floors indicate costly structural problems.
- Unpermitted renovations and missing disclosures are signs to proceed with caution.
References:
- 10 Home Buying Red Flags to Watch for in an Open House. (2025). Ptagencyinc.com. https://ptagencyinc.com/title-insurance/posts/oh/10-home-buying-red-flags-to-watch-for-in-an-open-house
- HGTV. (2015, June 16). Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers. HGTV. https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/top-10-red-flags-for-homebuyers
- Title, P. (2025, March 31). 21 Real Estate Red Flags: Tips for Buyers, Sellers & Agents – Patten Title Company. Patten Title Company -. https://pattentitle.com/blog-posts/21-real-estate-red-flags-tips-for-buyers-sellers-agents/
- Yoder, R. (2024, November 7). 23 New Home Red Flags, According To Realtors. BuzzFeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/rossyoder/red-flags-homebuying-realtors