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The Outdoor Red Flag All House-Hunters Should Ask About

A "For Sale" sign in the front yard of a large home.
RikoBest/Shutterstock

Most house-hunters know how important curb appeal is. However, you want to be on the lookout for things you don’t want, as well—especially standing water.

Ron Leffler, a real estate broker in Virginia, told Apartment Therapy his biggest front yard pet peeve is standing water, specifically when there hasn’t been enough rainfall to cause it. Not only do these pools attract pests, like mosquitos, but they could also be a sign of something more serious.

Leffler cited improper grading as one cause, which could lead to leaks in a home’s basement or crawl space. Sometimes, there might be a perfectly reasonable explanation for standing water (like sprinklers), but it’s definitely something you’ll want an explanation for at any property you’re considering.

Real estate professionals noted other outdoor irritants, including landscaping issues and tacky decorative items. (Sorry, garden gnomes.)

If you want some additional help improving your home’s curb appeal, be sure to check out these 10 tips.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Shea Simmons Shea Simmons
Shea Simmons is the Editor In Chief of LifeSavvy. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer with a focus on beauty and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Allure, and Hello Giggles. Read Full Bio »
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