Buying your future home is serious business. If you’re buying pre-owned, you want to make sure it’s as pristine and functional as possible.
This is the reason why you should never skip home inspections. Finding as many good or bad things can help you decide if the property is right for you.
When it comes to home inspection reports, there are details you need to be wary of. These can give you a good idea if there are any home inspection problems you need to confirm.
In this guide, we’ll talk about home inspection, what to watch out and what to ask your home inspector. This can help give you home inspection warning signs to prevent a nightmare scenario.
Are you ready? Here’s what you need to check.
1. Foundation Issues
One of the biggest deals when it comes to home inspection is the foundation. Problems with the house’s foundation are not only dangerous but expensive to remedy as well. The last thing you want to see in your home inspection report is the phrase “foundation issues.”
Almost any home, especially older ones, have sinking levels. This settling is normal, considering the weight of a home can push the foundation lower to the ground. Finding different cracks is not a problem, but they can become an issue.
Your home inspector needs to see if the cracks can affect your foundation. Many times, they will even try to refer you to a foundation engineer to confirm their suspicions.
2. Pest Problems
One of the most common home inspection problems involves pests. Pest inspections are crucial to checking homes. This is due to the fact that they can be bothersome and expensive to correct.
When looking at home inspection warning signs, pests may even pose a significant health risk to you without a proper solution.
During a home inspection, your home inspector needs to find all the risks of infestation. This includes termites, mold, rodents, roaches, and even other insects.
If there is a positive presence, hire pest control as soon as possible. You want to make sure that a professional works on removing and repairing the damage. Doing this can prevent further structural damage to your home.
3. Roofing Issues
Roofing problems are something you don’t want to see in a home inspection report. This is for a good reason as well. Roofing is hard to repair, and it is a normal precursor for other home inspection problems.
Older roofing issues can lead to many types of problems. For one, it can be the source of water damage and leaks inside your home. If you’re using corrugated aluminum or shingles, missing pieces may need replacement or full repair.
When you see roofing issues as one of the home inspection warning signs, check with your home inspector for other problems. This problem may cause:
- compromised or damaged ceiling
- bad or faulty ventilation
- excess mold growth
- uncontrollable moisture and leaks
Ask your home inspector to see what you can do remedy the situation.
4. Water Damage and Stains
If you’re looking at your home inspection reports, one of the first things you need to look at is water damage. Much like roofing problems, water damage can cause a myriad of issues that will make any person hesitate to buy the property.
Issues that come from water damage are crucial home inspection warning signs. Water in the basement is a heavy red flag, while roof leaks and problems in the plumbing can cause a significant reduction in value.
There’s also the repairs you need for the complications that will come from such home inspection problems. Mold removal and water stain removal can cost thousands of dollars. Insurance claims for water damage can even go as much as $7,000.
5. Home Owner is A Smoker
This may sound like a minor issue, but if the former owner is a smoker, it’s one of the home inspection warning signs you would also want to look at. Why?
Smoking produces different carcinogens, which includes coal tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. It leaves a type of stench that is hard to remove and can seep in the walls, carpeting, and ceiling.
A typical home inspector may overlook this, so you want to talk to them to look out for this issue. Lingering smells can be a health risk and can reduce your quality of life if you are not a smoker yourself.
6. Faulty HVAC Systems
Much like water damage, a problem with the HVAC system is not something you want to see in a home inspection. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is crucial to a comfortable home. A damaged HVAC system will cost you money to replace.
Professional home inspectors will try to get an HVAC expert to confirm if there’s an obvious issue. Depending on the home inspection report, they may decide to bring in other pros. They may even opt to talk to HVAC companies to check on the remaining lifespan.
Replacing furnaces and air conditioning costs thousands of dollars to do. The last thing you want is to deal with such a problem if you bought a pre-owned home.
7. Faulty Electrical Systems
Electrical systems inspection is essential when you are checking a pre-owned home. If the age of the electricals creates a problem, these are home inspection problems that might need your attention.
Older electrical systems may be in bad shape. Live wires, bad connections, and burnt sockets can be the cause of home accidents. This may cause fires and electrocution at the very least.
If you’re buying an ancestral or historic home, talk to your home inspector to be extra wary of this issue.
What To Look For In Your Home Inspection Reports
When it comes to home inspection reports, you want to be extra observant of possible issues. Read the report and talk to your home inspector for their recommendations. Where you can, decide on what is important to you and be vigilant on the problems.
If you’re looking into getting the best home inspection, you need experts. You need Class Home Inspection.
Class Home Inspection protects your real estate investment in North East Ohio. With detailed photos and high-detail descriptions of many potential real estate issues, we’re here to help.
Talk to Class Home Inspection now. Protect your investments and let us go the extra mile for you.