Look for cracks, signs of repairs and water problems. A crack in the slab or wall is not always a decisive factor, but it is important to understand why a crack appeared. Your home inspector will be able to tell you if anything needs additional inspection by a structural engineer. The first thing inspectors look for are insects that destroy wood, Turner says.
These can be carpenter bees, carpenter ants, gunpowder beetles and, of course, termites. After conducting the vetting and vetting options, you should have a professional home inspector you can trust who knows what to look for in each part of the house. However, understanding what the inspector is looking for can help you ask questions to better understand the extent of the damage. This checklist is a complete summary of what to look for in a home inspection.
Keep in mind that 25% of home sales are delayed during lockdown, and home inspections cause 16% of those delays, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. In case of overlooked or hidden water damage, mold can form and potentially make the environment toxic. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to mold in humid indoor environments is linked to upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people. In minor cases of water or mold damage, you may be able to offer the buyer a credit for the repair instead of fixing it yourself.
This can be negotiated after the inspection report arrives. If an inspector reports that there are signs of serious water damage to your home or the buyer asks you to repair the damage before closing the sale, bring a professional to investigate immediately. A leaking faucet on its own could significantly raise water bills. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that annually, household leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide (equivalent to water use in more than 11 million households) and thus adds 10% to water bills for landlords Rodents, on the other hand, invade 21 million homes Americans every winter and more of Americans have seen a rodent in their home last year.
If you see a rodent in your house, you could have a big problem on your hands. Mice are capable of producing up to 12 babies every three weeks. They are carriers of salmonella and disease-causing parasites, such as fleas, ticks and lice, and can gnaw wood and cables, increasing the risk of electrical fires. The exterior structural components of the house are some of the most expensive to repair or replace, so a home inspector must carefully assess the condition and expected service life of these elements.
In the attic and roof, you are likely to focus on shingles, gutters, exterior vents, flashings, ceiling tiles, chimneys, and fascia boards. When inspecting windows and doors, look for decay and rot, cracks, improper installation, lack of caulking and other damage. The attic is often overlooked when a prospective buyer visits a home, but it may contain important clues to the overall structural integrity of the property. The examiner will make sure not to find improperly installed insulation, structural damage, improper ventilation, and exhaust pipes or plumbing ending up nearby.
