11 Things You Need to Know to
Pass Your
Macomb County
Oakland County Home Inspection
"According to industry experts,
there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a
home inspection when your home is for sale. Here are 11 you should know about if
you’re planning to put your home up for sale."
Homebuyers Want to Know Your Home Inside and
Out
While homebuyers are as
individual as the homes they plan on purchasing, one thing they share is a
desire to ensure that the
home they will call their own is as good beneath the
surface as it appears to be.
These, and others, are the questions that the buyers looking at your home will
seek professional help to answer.
According to industry experts,
there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a
home inspection. We’ve identified the 11 most common of these and, if not
identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms
of repair.
In most cases, you can make a
reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for. Knowing
what you’re looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into
costly and unmanageable ones.
11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home
Inspection
1. Defective Plumbing
Defective plumbing can manifest
itself in two different ways: leaking, and clogging. A visual inspection can
detect leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all
faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the
sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water
appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that
the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.
2. Damp or Wet Basement
An
inspector will check your
walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will
look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement
floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will
certainly be conscious of it.
It could cost you $200-$1,000
to seal a crack in or around your basement foundation depending on severity and
location. Adding a sump pump and pit could run you around $750 - $1,000, and
complete waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to
$5,000-$15,000. You will have to weigh these figures into the calculation of
what price you want to net on your home.
3. Inadequate Wiring &
Electrical
Your home should have a minimum
of 100 amps service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or
aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate
circuits and a potential fire hazard.
4. Poor Heating & Cooling
Systems
Insufficient insulation, and an
inadequate or a poorly functioning heating system, are the most common causes of
poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat
exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking
to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 yrs. For a forced
air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one
that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat
exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.
5. Roofing Problems
Water leakage through the roof
can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt
shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a wind storm.
When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the
exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.
6. Damp Attic Spaces
Aside from basement dampness,
problems with ventilation, insulation and vapor barriers can cause water,
moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This can lead to premature wear
of the roof, structure and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could
easily run over $2,500.
7. Rotting Wood
This can occur in many places
(door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector
will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present - especially when wood
has been freshly painted.
8. Masonry Work
Re-bricking can be costly, but,
left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture
penetration into the home which in turn could lead to a chimney being clogged by
fallen bricks or even a chimney which falls onto the roof. It can be costly to
rebuild a chimney or to have it repainted.
9. Unsafe or Over-fused
Electrical Circuit
A fire hazard is created when
more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the
most common in a typical home, with larger service for large appliances such as
stoves and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse
panel with a circuit panel.
10. Adequate Security
Features
More than a purchased security
system, an inspector will look for the basic safety features that will protect
your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the
doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every
level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs.
Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts.
11. Structural/Foundation
Problems
An inspector will certainly
investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home as structural
integrity is fundamental to your home.
When you put your
home on
the market, you don’t want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale
of your home. By having an understanding of these 11 problem areas as you walk
through your home, you’ll be arming yourself against future disappointment.
I have created this website for one reason and that is
to help you to make an informed decision.
If you have any questions or if I can be of any help
with your real estate purchase or sale, please do not
hesitate to call me.
Best wishes,
Brian LaDue
"Lakeside Property Shop"
(586) 873-2242 Macomb County
(248) 787-8644 Oakland County
realtor@brianladue.com
OFFICE LOCATION:
14072 North Lakeside Blvd. Suite A
Shelby Twp MI 48315 |
