10 Reasons Your Home Might Fail Inspection
There is always a sense of relief when you have an accepted offer on your home. However, never consider your home sold until you have passed inspection. A majority of real estate transactions that fail do so because of a failed Inspection. Many home owners either try to hide problems, or they just don’t know when to recognize a problem that can affect the outcome of a sale.
Inspectors are paid to find everything and anything wrong with your home…and trust me, they will find it. However, you can help yourself in advance by preparing for your inspection and in the long run, saving your home from a lost sale. I have gathered 10 major items that often cause sales to fall through. I recommend repairing these items prior to your inspection.
Why? Even though it may not seem like it now, you will be saving yourself money (or a sale) in the long run.
1. Defective Plumbing: Clogs, dirty water, and low water pressure are three areas that often fail. During an inspection, the inspector will turn on all the faucets in the highest bathroom and flush the toilet at the same time. This test will reveal any of the three items I mentioned above.
2. Damp/Wet Basements: When I show homes to perspective buyers and hear the dehumidifier running…I know there is a problem. Cracks in your basement foundation or walls are often the root of the problem with water seepage. If you see fungus growing on your walls, treat it. If your water problem is more severe, you may want to consider installing a sump pump or even hiring a water proofing company.
3. Inadequate wiring: Many older homes have not had there electrical updated. This is often a problem that a Realtor will find when showing homes. Homes should have a minimum of 100 amps service and you should mark it on your box.
4. Heating and Cooling systems: Make sure you keep your furnace clean on a routine basis. If your heating system is over 15-20 years old, it’s time to start shopping for a new one. Many companies will give you a discount if you install your heater and cooling systems at the same time.
5. Leaks: That water spot you tried to paint over? Yeah, that one…the inspection will find it. Leaks can occur for a variety of reasons such as age, weather, or mechanical. Make sure you periodically check your roof and attic for leaks, torn shingles, etc.
6. Damp Attic: This can sometimes be caused by your roof leaking or inadequate ventilation, insulation or vapor barriers that cause moisture in your attic.
7. Wood Rot: Check your windows, door frames, trim, decks, siding…inspectors are great at gouging these areas with a screwdriver. If you see rot, repair or replace the item.
8. Masonry: Chimneys are usually the hardest hit which could lead to water penetration, cracking, or even the chimney falling over. This can be very costly to fix as a seller, but even scarier to a buyer.
9. Over-fused Circuits: This is very common in older homes and a fire hazard. A typical 15 amp circuit is common in homes; however, it is unsafe to overload your circuit. Remember, larger appliances need higher amperage.
10. Structural/Foundation: This is the worst. An inspector will look at the underlying footing and foundation. In some severe cases a structural engineer may be called. If you suspect you have structural or foundations problems, I recommend inspecting before selling. A bad foundation can stigmatize your property while on the market.
Should you have any questions or would like me to recommend some Inspection companies, please email me and I will be happy to help out.
Inspectors are paid to find everything and anything wrong with your home…and trust me, they will find it. However, you can help yourself in advance by preparing for your inspection and in the long run, saving your home from a lost sale. I have gathered 10 major items that often cause sales to fall through. I recommend repairing these items prior to your inspection.
Why? Even though it may not seem like it now, you will be saving yourself money (or a sale) in the long run.
1. Defective Plumbing: Clogs, dirty water, and low water pressure are three areas that often fail. During an inspection, the inspector will turn on all the faucets in the highest bathroom and flush the toilet at the same time. This test will reveal any of the three items I mentioned above.
2. Damp/Wet Basements: When I show homes to perspective buyers and hear the dehumidifier running…I know there is a problem. Cracks in your basement foundation or walls are often the root of the problem with water seepage. If you see fungus growing on your walls, treat it. If your water problem is more severe, you may want to consider installing a sump pump or even hiring a water proofing company.
3. Inadequate wiring: Many older homes have not had there electrical updated. This is often a problem that a Realtor will find when showing homes. Homes should have a minimum of 100 amps service and you should mark it on your box.
4. Heating and Cooling systems: Make sure you keep your furnace clean on a routine basis. If your heating system is over 15-20 years old, it’s time to start shopping for a new one. Many companies will give you a discount if you install your heater and cooling systems at the same time.
5. Leaks: That water spot you tried to paint over? Yeah, that one…the inspection will find it. Leaks can occur for a variety of reasons such as age, weather, or mechanical. Make sure you periodically check your roof and attic for leaks, torn shingles, etc.
6. Damp Attic: This can sometimes be caused by your roof leaking or inadequate ventilation, insulation or vapor barriers that cause moisture in your attic.
7. Wood Rot: Check your windows, door frames, trim, decks, siding…inspectors are great at gouging these areas with a screwdriver. If you see rot, repair or replace the item.
8. Masonry: Chimneys are usually the hardest hit which could lead to water penetration, cracking, or even the chimney falling over. This can be very costly to fix as a seller, but even scarier to a buyer.
9. Over-fused Circuits: This is very common in older homes and a fire hazard. A typical 15 amp circuit is common in homes; however, it is unsafe to overload your circuit. Remember, larger appliances need higher amperage.
10. Structural/Foundation: This is the worst. An inspector will look at the underlying footing and foundation. In some severe cases a structural engineer may be called. If you suspect you have structural or foundations problems, I recommend inspecting before selling. A bad foundation can stigmatize your property while on the market.
Should you have any questions or would like me to recommend some Inspection companies, please email me and I will be happy to help out.
posted by Christina at 10:35 PM
4 Comments:
I have a question. I drove up Meridian Street on Saturday and saw 15 homes in Meridian Kessler (and on Meridian) for sale. What is going on? Property value there is going to plummet.
Welcome to my blog Torporific! Yes, the buzz on the block has been the abnormally high volume of homes on the market in the Meridian-Kessler area. On N. Meridian Street alone between the 4200-7600 block, there are 29 homes listed in the MLS (this does not include FSBO). There are several answers to your question.
1) First and foremost, this is an older area and folks are downsizing, due in part to taxes having doubled and in some cases tripled in recent years.
2) Many of these homes are in need of major rehab and upgrading with costs from $100,000-$350,000. Many of the older residents in this community just don't have the money to spend.
3) Listing price...are agents over pricing homes in the area when you take into account the amount of repairs needed, in turn causing a stale market?
4) Specific to Meridian street, or shall I say Meridian Highway, the increase of traffic traveling on this street has caused some home owners to move to the outlying suburbs.
5) This is summer, which is the highest listing volume of all seasons.
I don't believe property values will plummet. We are talking about a historical community with lots of "old money." There are enough people drooling just to own a home in this community (I for one). These homes will sell; it is going to take a buyer who is willing to invest the money necessary to upgrade these homes for modern living.
Some of the homes north of 75th street can be a great investment as well. There are smaller homes that are selling, being knocked down and enormous estates re-built in their place. (Case in point 71st and Meridian NE corner)
Thanks for the reply and welcome. The Indianapolis Star has noticed this too and has cited many of the same reasons that you have given.
Here is the article http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005506160477
You are dead on about the traffic. The rush hour traffic and the no left turn signs have frustrated many in the neighborhood. But yes, I'd like to end up in one of those homes too.
nice post its informative
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