A “lemon home” is any property that comes with hidden issues, from problems with plumbing to leaky roofs.
And, according to a recent study, a place in Pennsylvania comes with the highest risk of lemon homes for potential buyers.
According to a study conducted and published by MovingPlace, Erie is the number one metro area that holds the highest risk of someone buying a lemon home in the United States. Pennsylvania ranked as the seventh state overall in this regard.
Researchers at MovingPlace formulated this study after analyzing proprietary data from PGM’s Home Factors dataset, which tracks common property issues — like electric panel repair, foundation repair, etcetera — across the country’s 200 largest metro areas. This information was just divided by region and the regions, ranked.
The study found that “54 percent of properties [in Erie] need costly roof repairs, 38 percent have window issues, and 84 percent show water intrusion.”
“Foundation problems affect 77 percent of homes, and electrical repairs are also common, with 32 percent needing panel work and 61 percent requiring wiring fixes,” the study explains.
“The combination of harsh winters, lake-effect snow, and older housing stock likely contributes to the prevalence of these hidden home problems, putting buyers at risk for significant repair costs shortly after purchase.”
The state with the highest overall risks of lemon homes was found to be Rhode Island.
“Topping the list of lemon home prevalence with a score of 86 is Rhode Island, making it the riskiest state for homebuyers,” the report states. “Half of homes have foundation issues, and 86 percent show window problems, indicating widespread structural and exterior challenges.
“While plumbing and electrical issues are slightly less common, 42 percent of homes need electrical wiring repairs, 77 percent have plumbing pipe concerns, and 46 have roof issues, the highest in the country. Rhode Island’s coastal location and high humidity, combined with older construction, likely exacerbate these issues.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.