"Identifying a 'Catfish House' Before Purchase: A Guide"

"Catfish houses" are properties that are deceptively presented to hide serious problems or fake significant upgrades, potentially leaving buyers with expensive and dangerous issues. Signs of a catfish house include misleading photos, fresh but unmentioned renovations, and physical indicators like mismatched wall plates and inconsistent performance. To avoid falling victim to a catfish house, never waive your right to inspections, be skeptical of listing photos, and pay attention to physical signs of rushed or incomplete work.