Beware These Potential Deal Breakers in A Home Inspection

Beware These Potential Deal Breakers in A Home Inspection. If you plan to purchase a home, it’s smart to invest in a home inspection before the “sale” is final. When you’re buying a home, you want the home inspector to look over every inch of the property to make sure there aren’t any hidden problems that could disturb your peace of mind.  

A home inspector is trained to detect issues that would pose a danger to the new owner, such as water-damaged ceilings, crumbling foundations, and faulty wiring. Home inspectors are trained to identify problems with the home and to advise you whether repairs would be necessary, or whether you should walk away from the purchase. 

Beware These Potential Deal-Breakers in A Home Inspection

Identifying Potential Deal Breakers in A Home Inspection 

Home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. It’s critical to understand the potential issues that can arise in an inspection so you can identify and negotiate for solutions. 

Here are some of the potential deal-breakers you want to watch out for:  

Worrisome Water Damage

Home repairs can be expensive, and water damage often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Excess moisture can cause damage to a variety of building materials, including wood, drywall, carpeting, and upholstery. If untreated, water damage can also lead to mold growth, which is not only expensive to remove but can threaten your family’s health and home’s structural integrity.

If the water is coming in from the outside, look for signs of water pooling near the home. Water is heavy and gravity pulls it down, so standing water near its foundation or below it could indicate a drainage problem or foundation failure. Check the exterior of the house for cracks, leaks, and damage. Even a small crack in the siding can allow water into the house.

On the inside, look for wood rot around door frames and windows. Water can infiltrate wood, causing swelling and rotting, which can lead to more damage. Its floor could be sagging, or your walls might buckle. These problems can be especially costly to fix, so it’s best not to risk it. 

Structural Sabotage 

If you’re in the market for a new home, you’ll want to know whether any structural problems exist in it. Structural issues aren’t always obvious, even if they may not be completely hidden. Fortunately, you can detect structural problems with a few telltale signs. Common signs of structural problems include cracks in walls and ceilings, cracks in the chimney or exterior masonry, sagging or sloping floors, and doors and windows that won’t close.

Rundown Roof

Roofs are one of the most critical parts of your home’s structure, which is why it’s important to keep a close eye on them. You need to pay attention to signs of damage, including curling, cracked, or missing shingles; loose or rusted flashing; dark patches on the roof; mold and moss; a sagging roof; and water stains in the attic or on the ceiling.

A damaged roof is dangerous but fixing it can be a big job. If you need a new roof, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $8,000. Depending on where you live, you may also have to factor in the costs of removal and disposal.

Eerie Electrical Wiring

When it comes to your electrical system, it pays to be proactive. Not only can it save you money, but it can protect you and your family from potentially devastating consequences. Fires caused by faulty electrical wiring are a real threat, so a proper electrical inspection is a must. Some warning signs to look for include outlets that are warm to the touch or have scorch marks; ungrounded receptacles; a breaker or fuse box that’s emitting an odd odor; and damaged or frayed wires. 

Peculiar Plumbing 

As any homeowner knows, plumbing problems can be a big inconvenience. And, as with any home repair, plumbing can end up being an expensive one. 

Poor plumbing is a health and safety concern, and there are several things to look out for. First, check out the type of pipes installed. Galvanized pipes, which are found in older homes, corrode over time, and can expose you to lead in your drinking water. Polybutylene (PB) pipes also corrode and are prone to failure.  

If you are buying a house, you can test for lead with this simple test kit, which costs less than $10. Lead is most dangerous to children, who absorb more lead than adults. Lead can affect them in subtle ways, including learning disabilities and behavioral problems, and can cause permanent damage, especially to their brains. 

Pernicious Pests

Prevention is the best form of pest control, so it’s always a good idea to have a pest inspection before you sign a purchase agreement. There are many different types of pests, but they’re all pests. There are pests that bite, there are pests that sting, there are pests that chew, and there are pests that eat. Some pests are a nuisance, some are a health concern, and some can cause major structural damage. 

While not all pests are necessarily pests, termites do fall into the latter category. They cause serious structural damage to homes, sometimes causing thousands of dollars in damage, so it’s important to know the risks.

Hire an Expert Home Inspector

A major home purchase is a good reason to get a home inspection — it’s the only way to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. If you think you’ve found the perfect home, be sure you’re getting a home inspection before buying.

• A home inspection can save you from purchasing a money pit

• A home inspection can be the difference between selling your home and walking away

• A home inspection can give you peace of mind, knowing your home is safe for you and your family. 

A home inspector looks at all the major systems and components of the home, and if anything requires repair, the inspector lets you know so you can negotiate a lower price or make other plans. Your inspector should be skilled at identifying general issues with the home, but for the best results, consider calling in experts who specialize in the specific areas mentioned above.  

Have questions about selling your Texas home or need information on Land for sale in Texas, contact us today! Didn’t find what you’re looking for in today’s blog, check out or sister site at Louisiana Landsource and see what Louisiana has to offer. 

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