Buying a home can be terrifying. It’s a huge financial decision for most people. Actually, it could be the biggest decision some people will ever make. That’s why it’s important that a home inspector checks the house before you purchase.
What is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector is an unbiased expert. His job is to examine a home to make there aren’t any hidden issues an average homebuyer would miss. These issues can range from terminate damage in the walls to holes in the roof. When found, these can prevent a buyer from a lot of stress and money. Not only that, but a survey from Porch said…
About 46% of buyers reported that they “used home inspection reports to negotiate a lower price on their home”
Buyers can use home inspection checks to their advantage. For example, if the inspection shows evidence of plumbing issues but you’re a plumber and don’t mind fixing it. If you still can live in the house safely and are willing to put the time into fixing the issue then it can be very useful leverage.
Consequently, this can also work as leverage for the sellers. Say a home gets a perfect inspection, then the seller has evidence to back up the list price. Additionally, the seller can find small fixes that will make the house more appealing before it is put on the market.
I found this information on the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors website. Recent surveys by U.S. and Canadian home inspectors resulted in this list of the ten problems most frequently found in the homes they have inspected:
10 Things Your Home Inspector Must Check
1. Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was the most frequently found problem, reported by 35.8% of the survey respondents. Causes the most common household issues, including water entering the basement or crawlspaces.
2. Improper Electrical Wiring
19.9% chose this as the most common home issue. This could be anything from dangerous wiring connections to dysfunctional overload protection.
3. Roof Damage
8.5% chose this as the most common issue. This is usually roof leaks caused by broken shingles or improper flashing.
4. Heating Systems
These issues are usually broken operation controls, chimneys, or unsafe exhaust disposal.
5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Anything from cracks, amateur painting, broken fixtures, or appliances.
6. Structurally Related Problems
Foundation walls, Floor Joists, Rafters, windows, and doors. These are the most common problems with overall maintenance.
7. Plumbing
Odd piping can cause huge problems as well as problems with waste lines and faulty fixtures.
8. Exteriors
Problems with a home’s exterior can lead to water and air entering the home. most of the time this is caused by bad caulking or weatherstripping.
9. Poor Ventilation
In the effort to save energy and money many people end up over sealing their homes. This can cause excessive interior moisture.
10. Miscellaneous.
This includes cosmetic problems that were not frequent enough to rank individually on the survey.
Note: The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors also notes that 4 of these are directly related to the damaging effects of water. Keeping water out is very important as a homeowner. They also note that the statistics vary greatly depending on regional climates and building codes.
I hope that you found this list useful and maybe saved you some hassle while searching for a home. Definitely make sure your home inspector checks those 10 things before you buy a home. If you are planning on doing a remodel soon I advise reading my article The Truth About Remodeling a Home.
