On average, home sellers in America pay between $275 and $400 for a home inspection, based on the location of the home, its size, and the services offered.
A home inspection is an essential process of the entire home transaction process. If the inspection reveals a major problem in the property, the sale could collapse. This is why, as a home seller, you need to have the inspection done before putting it on the market.
A professional home inspection should yield some of the common home inspection issues your property may have. This gives you the opportunity to fix them, so they don’t finally kill the sale when you finally find a potential buyer.
Of course, any serious buyer will insist on doing their own home inspection. You want to be sure that both the buyer and their lender finds your home acceptable and that there’s no chance of legal problems later on.
But what exactly is a home inspection? What major home inspection issues should you avoid for a quick and successful sale? These are the issues we discuss in this post.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection refers to a comprehensive review of a home that’s conducted by a licensed home inspector to determine the state of the home’s components and systems. The inspection is typically based on a thorough visual evaluation.
After the home inspection, the home inspector gives a home inspection report. The report details the present condition of the property and alerts the buyer of any significant home inspection issues. This way, they can protect themselves from spending money on unexpected repairs or overpaying for the home.
As we pointed out earlier, it’s in your best interest as a seller to have a home inspection done before you put the sale sign on the front yard. Sure, it’s going to seem like the professional is going out of their way to identify problems in your home, but this information is essential. Chances are you have no idea that your property has issues.
Here Are Some Common Home Inspection Issues That Could Potentially Kill the Sale
Certain issues revealed during the home inspection can instantly stop the transaction process in its tracks. Most buyers will not proceed with the purchase if one or more of these issues come to light. Even if a buyer accepts to proceed with the purchase, chances are they’ll demand a considerable financial discount.
Here are five top home inspection problems you should deal with.
1. Structural Issues
Your home’s foundation is arguably what makes it most structurally sound. The foundation needs to be in good condition for the other components to retain their structural integrity. This is why a professional home inspector will often start by checking this essential part of your home.
Most foundation problems are caused by water damage, shoddy craftsmanship, and geological issues. A professional home inspector should be able to gauge the severity of the issue and probably advise on a good solution. Where the issue is severe, you’ll probably want to contact a reputable structural engineer to fix it.
2. Roof Problems
Home inspection roof issues are a major red flag and will usually make most buyers walk away from the sale. Few projects are more expensive than roof repair or replacement. If a home inspector alerts you of roof problems, chances are you’ll be in for a costly repair.
You’ll definitely want to bring in a roofing company to check your roof. The contractor may do some repair work on the roof if necessary, to help get your home in the best condition for the market.
3. Pest Issues
The majority of home buyers will check for termites and other bugs before buying a home. Some loans, such as VA loans, require that a termite inspection is done before approving a mortgage.
Of course, learning that termites have been destroying your home can be quite frustrating. However, this isn’t something a home seller can afford to ignore. Overlooking the issue only allows the pests to continue munching on your home, making things worse.
If a home inspection reveals that you have a pest problem, consult a professional to fix the issue before the sale. Some pests, like mice and ants, may not be a huge problem, and it’s relatively easy to fix the problem. Termites, however, can wreak havoc and damage the structural integrity of your home.
4. Water and Drainage Issues
Few issues have the potential to strike fear into the heart of a home buyer than the evidence of water damage in a home. It’s one of the top reasons homebuyers back out of transactions. Unfortunately, water penetration is one of the most prevalent home inspection problems.
There are varying degrees of water problems. For instance, some home basements flood whenever there’s a storm. Evidence of such a problem will usually scare away buyers.
Water problems are serious and need to be appropriately dealt with. Have a professional check your entire drainage system and fix any issues before listing your home.
5. Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues are also fairly common, particularly for older homes. Your plumbing system may not have been installed with the modern lifestyle in mind. It may also have been constructed using lead, a material that’s considered unsafe today.
Other plumbing issues include:
- Burst pipes
- Leaky faucets
- Loose toilets
- Leaking fittings around your heating system
If a professional home inspection reveals any of these issues, it is vital that you deal with them before putting up your property for sale. Few buyers will be willing to deal with such issues and may opt to look elsewhere for homes.
Deal With Home Inspection Issues Before Listing Your Home
A home inspection should never be seen as a luxury, but a necessity that can reveal common home inspection issues that could potentially derail the transaction. As soon as you become aware of any of these issues, it’s vital to deal with them before they come to haunt you during the home sale.
Are you interested in reliable and cost-effective home inspection services? Please contact us today.