Don’t Buy a House Before Doing This One Thing

Let’s be real: most people fall in love with houses based on what they see. A fresh coat of paint, shiny new appliances, maybe even some cute staging with throw pillows and wine glasses on the counter.

But under all that charm might be years’ worth of trouble.

I’m talking old insurance claims for flood damage. Shady, unpermitted renovations. Hidden foundation work. Court disputes over ownership. Outstanding property taxes. You name it.

And the kicker? Most of this stuff won’t show up on a standard home inspection. You could move in thinking you got a deal—only to find out the basement leaks every time it rains or that the previous owner DIY’d the electrical wiring… without a license.

Knowing the real story behind a property can save you from a world of regret and a pile of surprise expenses.

What to Look For (That Home Inspections Might Miss)

You should definitely still get a professional inspection. But even the best inspector isn’t a psychic. There are things they just won’t catch if they’re not physically visible or disclosed.

Here’s what you need to dig into yourself:

1. Insurance Claims & Water Damage

Many countries don’t require sellers to disclose past insurance claims. But these are red flags that something serious happened—like mold, flooding, fires, or structural issues.

If you’re in the U.S., for example, the CLUE Report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) contains a home’s insurance claim history. Unfortunately, buyers usually can’t access it directly. You’ll need the seller to request it which most people don’t even know they can do.

2. Unpermitted Renovations & Code Violations

That gorgeous sunroom or extra bathroom might look legit, but was it actually legal?

Unpermitted work can:

• Lower your resale value
• Make your insurance invalid
• Trigger fines or mandatory demolitions

Always check building permits with the local planning department. Many cities offer online databases, but others require in-person visits—or logging in from a local IP, which we’ll get to in a minute.

3. Local Disputes, Tax Debts & Hidden Liens

Is the house part of an ugly family inheritance battle? Is there a lien from unpaid contractors? Did the owner forget to pay municipal taxes for a decade?

That stuff doesn’t go away just because the house gets a new owner. You inherit it—like a bad haircut that cost you $300.

Run a title search. Look into court filings. Ask about property taxes. Don’t assume your realtor has done this legwork—they often don’t.

What to Check Before Buying a Property (And Where to Find It)

How to Research a Property’s History Like a Pro

It’s not just about what you look for—it’s about where and how you search.

Here’s your cheat sheet:

1. Public Records & Permits

Start with:

• County property assessor websites
• Building and planning departments
• Code enforcement databases
• Tax records

Some countries, like the UK or Australia, have centralized portals. Others (like the U.S., Canada, or Italy) are more fragmented you’ll need to hunt down the local government site based on the exact location.

2. Court Filings & Ownership Disputes

In many places, civil court cases are public records. Run a search of the property’s address and the seller’s name. You might uncover:

• Divorce settlements involving the house
• Bankruptcy filings
• Eviction lawsuits
• Inheritance disputes

Just be prepared to dig. Some sites have weird access rules, or only work locally which brings us to…

3. Street View History & Local News

Google Street View has a timeline function. You can jump back to older versions of the street and see:

• Major changes to the property
• New additions (or removals)
• Neglected conditions like broken fences, tarp-covered roofs, etc.

Also search local news archives. Just type the address into Google with terms like “fire,” “lawsuit,” “collapse,” “disaster,” or “eviction.”

Doing Research from Abroad? Use a VPN

Now here’s something most people forget: Not all records are accessible globally. Some sites only work from IP addresses inside that country.

Let’s say you’re in Germany but buying a home in Florida. You click the county tax site and boom. Blocked. Or worse, it loads, but won’t let you download key PDFs without a U.S. IP.

That’s where a reliable VPN saves the day.

🌍 Bypass Regional Restrictions

By using a VPN like NordVPN, you can switch your virtual location to match the area where the house is located. This helps:

• Access local government databases
• Download public record PDFs
• Use geo-restricted tools (like some title search services)

ExpressVPN and CyberGhost also work great for this—especially if you need multiple location options or faster loading speeds for big file downloads.

🕵️ Stay Private While Researching

Ever looked up a house and suddenly seen targeted ads about mortgages or property investment scams?

Using a VPN helps you stay anonymous while researching, especially if you’re digging into sensitive court cases or financial documents. I’d recommend something like Surfshark or ProtonVPN if privacy is your main concern they’ve got strong no-logs policies and work well even on public Wi-Fi.

Final Tip: Ask Questions No One Else Does

This is where most buyers get lazy or nervous.

It’s not rude to ask direct questions. In fact, it’s smart. Sellers don’t have to volunteer everything, especially in competitive markets, but they do have to answer honestly (and any hesitation is a red flag).

Here are a few underrated questions that can reveal a lot:

• Has this house ever had water intrusion or foundation issues?
• Were any renovations done without permits?
• Have there been any legal disputes involving this property?
• Can you provide receipts for major repairs or upgrades?

You’re not being difficult you’re protecting your future self.

And if you’re not getting straight answers, walk away. There’s always another house.

Anna

My name is Anna, and my daily life is a balancing act between family logistics, work responsibilities, and trying not to lose myself in the process. I cherish the moments when everything comes together – a good cup of tea, a calm morning, and our family all in one place. I'm not a perfectionist, but I do like things in order (especially in my head). I love planning trips, trying new recipes, and creating a home that feels good not just for us, but for anyone who walks through the door. And even when life gets a little chaotic, I believe that humor, openness, and love can do more than the most perfect plan ever could.

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