Home Factors 
Buying a home is one of life’s biggest milestones. But what happens when your dream home turns out to be a nightmare of repairs?
Welcome to the world of “lemon homes”—properties riddled with hidden issues that only show their true colors after move-in day.
In partnership with MovingPlace.com, PGM Solutions analyzed millions of property records to uncover where buyers and renters are most at risk of landing a lemon.
Let’s discover what we found.
What Is a Lemon Home?
Think of a lemon home like a lemon car: it looks fine on the surface, but underneath, it’s a total money pit.
These homes often come with major issues, such as plumbing failures, foundation cracks, roof damage, and water intrusion—that weren’t caught during inspection or were left unresolved before the sale.
The average household spends $7,100 per year on home repairs. That’s a significant price tag for problems you didn’t sign up for.
The Riskiest States and Metros for Lemon Homes
Using proprietary data from PGM, the 2025 Lemon Home Risk Index ranks states and metro areas based on the prevalence of serious home issues.
The states that stood out are:
- Rhode Island tops the list, with 86% of homes needing window repairs and 46% facing roof issues.
- Ohio comes in second, where 54% of homes have foundation problems.
- Massachusetts ranks third, with 80% of homes reporting plumbing concerns.
On the metro level:
- Erie, PA is the riskiest, with 83% of homes experiencing window problems and 77% struggling with foundation issues.
- Cleveland–Elyria, OH and Binghamton, NY following closely behind.
What’s Causing These Issues?
The most common problems in lemon homes include:
- Plumbing failures
- Window damage
- Water intrusion
- Foundation cracks
They’re more than just cosmetic concerns, these issues can affect your safety, comfort, and long-term property value.
Why This Matters for Movers
Whether you’re buying or renting, moving into a lemon home can derail your plans and your budget.
That’s why understanding property condition trends is so important, and PGM’s data helps consumers, real estate professionals, and service providers make smarter decisions by identifying risk factors before the keys are handed over.
How to Avoid a Lemon Home
Here are a few tips for avoiding the duds:
- Dig deeper during inspections, and don’t settle for surface-level checks. Be sure to ask about plumbing, foundation, and roof history.
- Use data as your advantage, because property insights can highlight those red flags before you commit.
- Always budget for repairs, even if everything looks good. It is important to set aside funds for any unexpected fixes.
Final Thoughts
Moving into your new home should be exciting—not stressful. But with lemon homes on the rise, you have to stay aware and informed.
Want to explore more insights? Check out the full Lemon Home Risk Index.
