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“That tree needs to come down!” are words no one wants to hear when buying or selling a home. However, it’s crucial to investigate potential tree-related issues before listing your property or purchasing a new one.

Trees can fall during mild, windy nights or catastrophic events like Hurricane Helene. In Polk County, the storm caused devastating flooding, mudslides, widespread power outages, and hundreds of downed trees, leading to significant property damage. 

Buyers often overlook property boundaries, retaining walls, neighboring trees, and those looming directly over the house. Real estate brokers should also be vigilant, as they are responsible for identifying potential external problems.

Examine tree and plant roots to determine their paths; they can extend beneath heavy retaining walls and even under the home itself. Don’t expect a home inspector to assess the property for dead trees or overhanging limbs and branches, whether dead or alive, that could soon give way and severely damage your home.

Large tree removal and stump extraction can cost several thousand dollars and often cannot be addressed during a home sales transaction. As a buyer, during your due diligence period, look for potential tree problems and bring them to your real estate broker’s attention so the issue can be included in a repair request.

If you’re a homeowner considering putting your home on the market in the coming months, take time to inspect the trees around and above your home. If a neighbor’s tree poses a future threat, it’s better to address the issue sooner rather than later to prevent a disastrous outcome.

Kirk Gollwitzer is a local real estate broker serving Tryon and the surrounding areas.