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Leave the keys on the table. Here are a few times it’s wise to walk away from a home sale.

You’ve fallen in love with a home. That feels fantastic – until you hit a speedbump. How do you know if that hiccup just has you feeling cold feet, or if it’s really something that should raise red flags? It depends on the situation. Here are a few times when it might be the right move to walk away from a home sale.

• The inspection turns up a lot of issues. It’s completely normal to have an problem or two come up during inspection. But a lot of them could make it worth passing on the house. It really depends on what kind of issues come up, but if you’re looking at major construction and you don’t want to be living on a job site you should reconsider.
• The appraisal is less than the contract price. If the appraisal comes in significantly below the price you’ve negotiated with your seller, you have a few of options. You can try to negotiate a lower sales price, get another appraisal that comes closer to the contract price, or walk away. If you’re not head-over-heels for the home, the last option is probably best.
• You’ve maxed out your budget. When house hunting, it’s tempting to push to the very top of your budget – or even past it. If you’ve exceeded the original budget you set and are feeling nervous, run the numbers again. Can you really pick up the extra cost? If not, it’s time to walk away.

During home buying, it can be difficult to know if your concerns are legitimate or if you’ve just got cold feet. It helps to have a real estate expert on your side to help you decide whether or not you should walk away from a home sale. For that kind of dedicated service, contact Jenn Blake Real Estate Group at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty in San Diego, California at 858-663-6788.