Common Layout Red Flags: What to Avoid When Buying a Home

Searching for a new home is an emotional rollercoaster. It’s easy to fall in love with a sleek kitchen island, but seasoned homebuyers know that cosmetic fixes are easy—layout flaws are forever.

In this blog, we dive into the common floor plan "red flags" that can turn a dream house into a daily headache. Here is what you need to know before you sign on the dotted line.

The Great Debate: Laundry Through the Master Closet

One of the most polarizing modern trends is the laundry room accessible only through the primary closet. Proponents love the efficiency of "point-of-use" laundry—taking clothes from the dryer straight to the hanger. However, many buyers see this as a major red flag for two reasons:

• Privacy & Guests: If you have guests or older children, they must enter your private bedroom and walk through your closet just to wash a load of towels.

• Moisture & Maintenance: Putting a high-humidity appliance inside a room full of expensive fabrics can lead to mildew issues if the ventilation isn't perfect.

The "Unfixable" Flaws: When to Walk Away

Some layout issues can be solved by moving a wall, but others are "unfixable" because they involve the home’s footprint or essential structure. Advise your buyers to walk away from:

• The "Captive" Room: If you have to walk through one bedroom to reach another, it’s a functional nightmare that kills resale value.

• Low Ceiling Heights: You cannot easily "raise the roof." If a main living area feels subterranean or cramped due to low ceilings, it will always feel that way.

• Poor Site Orientation: If the house is situated so that the main living areas never receive natural light, or if the "backyard" is actually a steep, unusable cliff, these are permanent detriments.

How to Spot a "DIY" Floor Plan

Not every renovation is a professional one. You can often spot a "DIY" floor plan modification—one done without an architect or designer—by looking for these telltale signs:

• Awkward Transitions: Look for uneven floor heights (hidden by transition strips) or mismatched baseboards where a wall was removed.

• The "Floating" Toilet: If a bathroom layout feels cramped or the plumbing is placed in a bizarre spot, it’s likely a homeowner tried to squeeze a half-bath into a closet.

• Inconvenient Light Switches: If you have to walk across a dark room to find the switch, the electrical wasn't properly rerouted during a DIY renovation.

When touring a home, don’t just look at the finishes—walk through the routine. If the bones of the house don't work for your lifestyle, no amount of staging can fix it. Listen to the full podcast episode for more expert tips on navigating the housing market with confidence!