| Most buyers will want a professional home | | | | |
| inspector, some lenders require it. At times | | | | Plumbing needs to be fixed or clogs |
| home inspections are done even before the | | | | unclogged. Appliances like washers and |
| home goes under contract. | | | | dishwashers will be tested and these things |
| | | | become apparent during these tests. The |
| Although home inspections will cover multiple | | | | inspector will also check your water pressure |
| systems within the house, there are several | | | | by turning on several faucets and flushing |
| specific sports that buyers worry about most. | | | | toilets at the same time. The inspector also |
| You don't need to wait for inspection day to | | | | may check the septic system. One of the ways |
| arrive in order to assess the condition of | | | | of doing this is by flushing dye down a |
| your home. Make necessary home repairs and | | | | stool. The inspector will then wait to see if |
| avoid having small problems turn into big | | | | the dye surfaces on the drain field, and if |
| headaches. Those big headaches can often | | | | so, this indicates a draining problem. You |
| require a lot of money to fix and might even | | | | can try these things yourself to see how well |
| lower your home's market value. Below are | | | | your systems respond. If you notice any |
| listed some of the most common problems, and | | | | problems, take care of them, possibly by |
| ways to fix them: | | | | hiring a professional plumber, before the |
| | | | house is inspected. |
| Crawlspaces and Wet Basements | | | | |
| | | | Electrical |
| If your basement smells of mildew, it is | | | | |
| signaling that the basement is too moist. | | | | The inspector will look for receptacles with |
| Inspectors will closely examine walls and | | | | ground fault interrupters (GFI), specifically |
| floors for signs of dampness and patches of | | | | in bathrooms and kitchens. The circuit |
| mildew. Moisture can deteriorate building | | | | breaker and electrical panel configuration |
| materials and attract insects, some an | | | | are probably adequate for the home's needs. A |
| inspector might even use a meter to determine | | | | 125 amp electrical panel will work for most |
| how much moisture can be found in some of | | | | homes. However, be certain that individual |
| these spaces. Use plastic to cover exposed | | | | circuits are not overloaded. Also, these GFI |
| earth in crawl spaces or basement; this will | | | | receptacles have little red test and reset |
| help keep moisture levels down. It may be | | | | buttons. The inspector will probably make |
| fairly expensive to repair leaking walls. If | | | | certain that they are what they appear to be, |
| this kind of problem exists but you do not | | | | and not just fake ones that aren't wired to |
| want to make repairs, consider lowering the | | | | work. And lastly, grounded receptacles, those |
| asking price of the home, with a written | | | | with three pronged plugs will likely be |
| understanding that the price reflects this | | | | checked out also. |
| problem. You also might give buyers an | | | | |
| allowance option to make repairs after | | | | Heating and Cooling |
| closing is completed. | | | | |
| | | | Heating and cooling systems will be checked |
| Mold or Mildew. | | | | and the inspector will make comments on their |
| | | | efficiency. All appliances will be checked, |
| Mildew stains and odors make buyers nervous, | | | | along with smoke detectors, foundation, and |
| even more so now that toxic black mold has | | | | other areas. |
| become such a presence. You might never get | | | | |
| an acceptable offer if mold or mildew are | | | | Before the Inspection |
| present anywhere in or outside the home. Kill | | | | |
| the mold and mildew and fix the source of the | | | | Keep in mind that home inspectors make note |
| problem. Although the mold in your home may | | | | of everything. It is very possible that the |
| be of the normal variety, and not the toxic | | | | inspection report will come back with |
| stuff (called stachybotrys chartarum) it | | | | negative statements, but don't let this |
| needs to be remedied immediately. Kill the | | | | discourage you. Remember that no home is |
| mold and mildew and then find and fix the | | | | perfect, and just do everything you can to |
| source of the problem. | | | | put the house in good condition before you |
| | | | attempt to sell it. |
| The Roof | | | | |
| | | | Remember that the home inspection report is |
| Your roof will be noticed right from the | | | | not a wish-list for buyers. Read your |
| start, especially by home inspectors. If the | | | | contract carefully--it probably states which |
| shingles are moist or rotting beneath, you | | | | systems should be in good working order at |
| can guarantee repairs will be required. If | | | | closing. For instance, if the roof is older, |
| needed, climb on your roof and be sure that | | | | but doesn't leak, it is in good working |
| things are in order. Even if the shingles are | | | | order. If there's a leak, and fixing just the |
| merely deteriorated you might still be asked | | | | leak is possible, the roof will be in good |
| to replace them. Ensure gutters are clean and | | | | working order. |
| free from leaves or dirt, as well as | | | | |
| positioning downspouts so that water runs | | | | Your contract may also state that you are |
| away from the house rather than near it. Also | | | | under no obligation to make any repairs at |
| if you have a chimney, flashing around the | | | | all--although the buyers can then likely |
| base should be watertight. | | | | withdraw from the contract. Don't feel you |
| | | | must comply with unreasonable demands for |
| Plumbing | | | | repairs. |