Five Deal-Breakers from a Home Inspection

Buying or selling a home is the biggest transaction of most people’s lives. It can be emotional, exciting, and even a little nerve wrecking. It’s important to know exactly what you’re buying – whether you are a new home buyer or a veteran?real estate connoisseur

The best way to ensure you know what you are buying is through a professional, thorough home inspection.

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No home is perfect. ?Easily fixed pipes or a few outdated electrical outlets, paint colors…these are not reasons to back out of a deal.

However, some other issues that come up during a home inspection should give you pause to think about whether or not to proceed.

Here are some areas to pay special attention to when having your prospective new home inspected:1. Water intrusion and grading problems?Water in the basement, condensation on the walls and mold in the air indicate moisture and drainage problems that could cost a lot of money to fix. These issues often suggest improper grading.

2. Structural damage?Cracks in walls, ill-fitting windows and doors, and visibly shifted bricks on the exterior are all signs of structural damage. Your cost to fix these types of problems? Anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000.

3. Roof repairs?Old shingles, water stains on the ceiling or rotting rafters are all signs that the roof may need to be replaced. This is another extremely expensive undertaking, so pay close attention during the roof inspection.

4. Window replacement?Windows that don’t work, fit the frame poorly or show condensation between the panes may need to be replaced. Depending on the number of windows, this could easily run between $5,000 and $8,000.

5. Insect infestation?A general inspection should show you whether the home has a pest problem, which may prompt a need for a more detailed report from a specialist. This is a serious issue because some pests can cause structural damage.

A home inspection is one of the first steps on your way to home ownership. It will help evaluate hundreds of items that you need to know to achieve a complete bill of health on your home.?To see what is covered in a home inspection, you can view here.

To understand the home inspection process better, view this helpful video “What Really Matters in a Home Inspection”

When you are ready to schedule your home inspection, call us. We are happy to help walk you through the process and answer any questions that may come up following your inspection.