Buying a home is a huge financial step for most people. Unfortunately, many first-time homebuyers get so excited about the prospect of becoming actual homeowners that they oftentimes overlook huge red flags. When seeking out a Tucson home, look past the paint and powder and focus on the following possible red flag warnings. Otherwise, your dream home could end up being a nightmare.

First-time homebuyers (and anyone else buying a Tucson home) need to watch out for these red flags. They could cost you lots of time and money.

First-Time Homebuyers: Red Flag Warnings

Major Systems Issues

Search Tucson homes for saleWhen you rent, you never think about the cost of fixing a problem with the electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems. You simply call the landlord. But, repairs to these systems can cost you thousands of dollars. As the homeowner, that money comes out of your pocket. So, if you see a panel inside of the Tucson home you are looking at, open it. Look for newer circuits. Ask about the wattage the property receives. If you pop a circuit every time you use the toaster and the coffeemaker at the same time, you might need to upgrade the electrical panel. And that can cost you a couple of thousand dollars at the very least. Look at the pipes underneath sinks, too. Signs of leakage (whether current or past) can be signs of bigger problems, including mold issues.

Cracks and Structural Issues

Large cracks in the foundation are hard to hide even from first-time homebuyers. But smaller cracks may also indicate larger issues. That is where a home inspection comes in handy. Quick tip: be there when the inspector performs their home inspection. That way, you can ask questions about things that are brought up right away. Also, this allows for clarification of what is something that must be addressed right away and what can wait until further down the road. Make sure that they check out the crawl space, attic, and chimney for issues as well. But do not hover over them. Give them plenty of space to do their job.

"Too Open" of a Floor Plan

This may sound a bit odd considering how many people love the idea of an open floor plan. However, there really is such a thing as "too open". With so many people working from home over the past couple of years, homeowners found that they craved privacy more than they realized. However, there are ways of creating private spaces in a large open area. So, this may not necessarily constitute a deal-breaker.

Lack of Closet Space

One of the most common complaints of homeowners is lack of storage. That can happen in Tucson homes of any size. But if the primary bedroom is a little larger than you really need, you might be able to create a larger closet by stealing 30" to 36" from one side of the room. Also, closet organizational units go a long way to making better use of closet space. However, these also come with a hefty price tag. Although, if you love the rest of the property, it is well worth the investment.

Wonky Fixtures

If you spot light fixtures or electrical outlets that look even slightly askew, this could be indicative of bigger problems behind the walls. If they cut corners there, who knows where else they cut corners. Take your time when touring a Tucson home. Details matter. A backsplash that does not line up with the counters may not stand out upon first viewing. But, after you've lived in the home for a little bit, it could become a visual nuisance that will cost you money to fix.

Noise Pollution

Finally, one thing that many first-time homeowners overlook is the noise of the neighborhood. With enough money, you can change just about anything inside or on the property. However, the one thing that you cannot change is its location. If you really like the Tucson house, come back at different times of the day on different days of the week. Then, sit outside and simply listen. Weeknights and school drop-off times during the week may produce more noise than other times. After a few visits, you can make a better decision as to whether or not the neighborhood "noise" is a bother or not.

Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate