Don’t get stuck with a money pit….

Home Inspector Reveals 6 Signs To Look For As You Shop…

Most people think a house that has expensive defects will be very obvious to detect, but often the most expensive defects are hidden and take more investigating.  Here are six signs to look for when evaluating a house in consideration for making an  offer to purchase:

1. Roof

Roof problems usually take the form of leaks. These can be difficult to spot from the outside. In fact, the surface of a roof may look perfectly sealed. However, if you view the roof from inside the attic, you may quickly spot water marks where it is leaking. Likely places to find tendencies to leak would include certain areas where:

• the roof meets the chimney
• an add-on patio roof meets the original roof structure
• living space additions or patio enclosures are made
• flat or very low pitch roof exists

2. Plumbing System

A home has two water systems. The first brings fresh water in; the second takes sewage out. Both are vital to essential functioning of your home, and if either breaks down, repairs can be costly. That’s why it’s very important that you have a good sense of the condition of the homes water systems before you buy.

Some plumbing defects such as leaking faucet are relatively minor and a plumber can take care of them easily.  Others may have high dollar repairs with inconvenient time requirements.  Your inspector can help you discern.

 3. Electrical Systems

In our present day homes, having a sufficient electrical system is absolutely essential. You want to have enough power to operate all your computers, appliances, air conditioning systems, kitchen equipment and power tools   plus your lights, all at the same time. Also…you want to be assured that your electrical circuits are admit adequate power for your needs and are properly installed.

In older neighborhoods, notice whether the overhead service lines coming in from the utility poles homes are high enough to meet safety standards  inquire whether the house may have been re-wired.

 4. Heating and Cooling Systems

Like the plumbing and electrical systems, the heater and air conditioner are vital to any home — and they can be expensive to fix if they break down. A thorough home inspection will include an examination of these for problems and detailed description of their condition.  Frequently, a service call for cleaning may be adequate.  For future maintenance, be sure you understand what type of filters to use and how to install them.

 5. Cracks and other scary indicators

The foundation holds up a home.  Some homes have concrete slab foundations,  others are built on pier and beam or cedar post foundations. The condition of either type of foundation is usually assessed on two tests:  1) is it level and if not, how much “out” of level is it?  Do that the doors and windows work properly? and 2) is it structurally sound according to structural guidelines given soil conditions in the area.

Evidence of cracks may or may not evidence a bad foundation; it could mean settling because of changing conditions in the moisture in the soil.  Or evidence of cracks could indicate stress problems that could get progressively worse.  A genuinely faulty foundation is a serious problem for any property and should be assessed carefully by a professional structural engineer.

His report can indicate the best way to proceed with this property because it would justify a buyer and a seller to agree on a lower price, or do corrective work as part of the terms of their contract.

6. Blistered Paint and Wood Rot

The face a home presents to the world is composed of its exterior material, its color coordination, cleanliness, and quality of paint or masonry.  Masonry obviously requires less painted surface than wood siding.  In addition to the exterior wood surfaces, the walls, doors, and trim show off the paint that goes on top of it.  These factors project the appearance of a well maintained home.

Inside, the walls are usually made of drywall and painted. Sometimes interior walls are unsatisfactory simply because they are dirty, or painted an offensive color.  By carefully examining the wall surfaces for genuine defects, you can often determine whether there’s an underlying problem, or just a cosmetic issue.

 7.  Conclusion

After your own evaluation of the property, include a provision in your offer to purchase that permits you to select and hire a licensed building inspector to give you detailed report on the overall condition of the home.

In a home inspection, a qualified third party inspector is working for you, and he will take an in-depth, unbiased look at the home which are present and visible at the time of the inspection,  specifically to:

• Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction and
• mechanical systems;
• Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced;

Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems equipment, structure, and finishes.

It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer.  Carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector; feel comfortable that you are comfortable with the balance of the value and the price.