A home inspector’s checklist is exceedingly thorough. Buyers want a house that is safe, and that’s what inspectors primarily look for. They will look for significantly deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or not functioning properly. They will predominantly focus on big ticket items.
- Signs of water damage
- When water gets into a home’s vicinity, it can cause a range of major issues, most of which are red flags for buyers. Water in the basement can be a sign of structural damage, roof leaks or plumbing issues can cause water stains on walls and ceilings.
- If an inspector reports that there are signs of severe water damage in your home or the buyer requests that you repair the damage before closing the sale, bring in a professional to investigate immediately.
- Issues that threaten the home’s structural integrity
- Ways to tell if home has settled or structure is compromised:
- Cracks in basement walls or around door frames
- Uneven or bouncy floors
- Gaps between walls and floors
- Nails popping out of walls
- Cracks in bricks or stonework
- Leaning front porch or stairs
- Cracked or leaning chimney
- Gaps around windows or door frames
- Ways to tell if home has settled or structure is compromised:
- Damage to the roof
- A deteriorating roof could lead to more extensive issues like leaks in the ceiling or pest infestation, and buyers will consider this when negotiating the price of a home.
- Problems with the home’s electrical system such as faulty wiring
- Electrical distribution or lighting equipment in the home remains the 4th leading cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.
- If a home inspector notices an electrical issue in the house, ask your real estate agent to recommend an electrician to come out and take a look at the problem.
- Plumbing issues whether it be corroded or leaking pipes
- It can be hard to notice major plumbing issues until an inspector comes in.
- If there are leaky pipes, clogging, or overflowing in your house, a home inspector will suspect a larger, more serious issue.
- Insect and Pest Infestations
- Carpenter ants, certain types of beetles, and termites are amongst the common wood-destroying insects that severely damage a home.
- In the worst-case scenario, a home inspector will find these destroying organisms after it’s too late. In this event, certain components of a home—such as the foundational structure or wiring—will need to be replaced, which could seriously affect a home’s value and buyer interest.
- If an inspector finds hazardous organisms before serious damage occurs, sellers will have to exterminate them. This typically costs a few hundred dollars but depends on the situation.
- HVAC age and functionality
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems control the heating, cooling, and airflow in your home. They require regular maintenance in order to perform efficiently, in turn assuring the air quality in your home is healthy.
- Home inspectors will check to make sure all basic functioning of the HVAC system is in working order.
If you are buying or selling a home in Kansas City, let Chrissy Frazier give you the professional guidance you need to navigate the market!
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