“One thing that I like to do is take a flashlight and hold it flat against the walls and ceilings,” Zirlott says. “When this is done, you can sometimes spot drywall patches and repairs.” These repairs and patches might indicate that there are still problems behind the walls.

Seeing patchwork repairs and cover-ups is a surefire way to make Miles’ eyes roll. “Whether it’s using excessive layers of paint to hide water damage or covering up cracks in the foundation with cosmetic finishes, these quick fixes only serve to mask underlying issues that sellers are intentionally passing off on homebuyers,” he says.