Hidden Home Defects to Watch For
No home is flawless, but certain physical problems can be expensive. Watch for:
- Water leaks. Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.
- Shifting foundations. Look for large cracks along the home’s foundation.
- Drainage. Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home of in the yard.
- Termites. Look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
- Worn roofs. Look for broken or missing copings and buckled shingles as well as water spots on ceilings.
- Inadequate wiring. Look for antiquated fuse boxes, extension cords (indicating insufficient outlets), and outlets without a place to plug in the grounding prong.
- Plumbing problems: Very low water pressure, banging in pipes
Ten Questions to Ask A Home Inspector
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What are your qualifications? Are you a member of the American Association of Home Inspectors?
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Do you have a current license? Inspectors are not required to be licensed in every state.
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How many inspections of properties such as this do you do each year?
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Do you have a list of past clients I can contact?
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Do you carry professional errors and omission insurance? May I have a copy of the policy?
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Do you provide any guarantees of your work?
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What specifically will the inspection cover?
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What type of report will I receive after the inspection?
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How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to receive the report?
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How much will the inspection cost?
Portions adapted from Real Estate Checklists and Systems and used with permission. (www.realestatechecklists.com)
Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright / All rights reserved.
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