Top 5 Items that will ruin your home inspection
Updated: Apr 12, 2021
The time has come for you to you to place home on the market. The market is hot and homes are selling for top dollar and in most cases above market value. Many times home owners will rush to list but not put much thought into the buyers right to have a certified home inspection before firming up the sale. This blog will cover the “Top 5 Items that will ruin your home inspection“.
1: Leaky basement and foundation issues
Repairing leaky basements and foundation issues can be a costly endeavor. Water leaking into the basement can many times be remedied by installing eavestroughs and downspouts, fixing lot grading so water can drain away from the foundation. Cracks in foundation walls can be filled with an epoxy sealant. If the issue is more severe, repair by a qualified basement repair contractor will be necessary.
*A leaky basement left unrepaired will lead to mold growth which can be hazardous to your health
2: Roof damage
Home inspectors most often inspect the roof first. We check the roof covering, flashings, eaves, gutters, skylights and roof penetrations. We also check for roof sagging and the over all condition of the roof framing. Be sure your roof covering is in good condition and there are no active leaks. Be sure to repair any damage.
3: Mold
The presence of mold in your home will raise red flags immediately to most buyers. Mold is a kind of fungus, when mold spores become airborne they can be inhaled causing an array of health problems. The symptoms can be mild to severe. Depending on the type of mold will also be important. Mold needs to be sampled and taking to a lab to verify the type of mold it is. Mold can be prevented by being sure there are no active water leaks of moisture penetration.
4: Outdated electrical
In modern homes 200 amp service is the standard. Our appliances and electronics place a large amount of stress on our electrical service. Older homes may still have only 100 amp service or less, century homes still may have knob and tube wiring. Electrical upgrades can be costly especially if a whole house re-wire is needed.
5: Asbestos
Just the mention of asbestos will send most home buyers running for the hills. Asbestos was commonly used in older homes as an insulation and pipe wrap. It was desirable for its fire retardant qualities. When asbestos fibers are inhaled this becomes very dangerous. When exposed for a prolonged time one can develop asbestosis. An incurable fatal disease.
Conclusion
This article covers 5 of the most common items that may ruin a home inspection. We highly recommend getting a pre- sale home inspection to all homeowners. This inspection will uncover any possible defects that might prevent the sale of your home.