Buying a new home is a priority to over 83% of Americans, but it can also be a tedious process. Picking the perfect home is exciting, even if you aren’t quite ready to buy just yet. One of the main things, after submitting an offer on that perfect home, is getting an inspection report. Now, this is one thing that can really throw some prospective buyers for a loop! This report is the laundry list of the potential issues you may be incurring if you purchase a home. Some of the issues may be relatively minor, or some can cause you to have to keep looking for another home.

First thing to look at on your inspection report would be the summary (primary recommendations) section to see if there are any issues the home may have that directly affect health and safety. Prime example, here in Florida, would be mold. While mold is a natural occurrence, there are some molds that you don’t want to see inside your home. Black mold, especially, can become a serious health issue. It’s best to try and consult with a mold remediation specialist to learn the severity of the situation, should it come up on your summary. Water leaks can lead to this and other issues within the home. Let us look at a few other red flags to look out for on your inspection report.

Issues That Will Drain Your Wallet

The key three issues, after health, are electrical, mechanical and structural issues. If there’s an issue with the HVAC system, a major appliance, or the water heater isn’t functioning properly – that is a huge red flag. These are things that would need to be brought back to a seller as they could become really costly to fix. Next thing to look at is the age and condition of the roof. In Florida, older roofs are in serious jeopardy of becoming leak prone due to the tropical weather conditions. This is another red flag warning. Another really key issue is the home’s foundation. Cracks in the foundation mean there is a structural integrity issue and it can end up costing thousands to fix.

One major issue to look at when buying a wood frame home in Florida is termites. They are prevalent in the older homes (especially historic homes). Even if there’s not an active termite infestation in the home, but there’s a presence of past damage, the homeowner is responsible for fixing that issue before a sale can commence. It’s always best to ask your inspector what the extent of the damages are before delivering that information back to the seller. Another costly issue is mold. While Florida’s subtropical climate is a great breeding ground for mold, finding it inside your home is never great. The one saving grace is that it can be removed fairly easily, but always at a cost. Lack of proper ventilation in areas makes for the perfect environment for mold to flourish. You don’t want to hear from your inspector or remediation specialist that a roof will need to be replaced due to mold.

Keep in mind that inspectors can only see what’s visible. This means they cannot see what is behind drywall or in the ceilings. If any of the previously mentioned issues are in visible areas, it would always be best to bring in specialists to check the areas that aren’t easily seen, especially if you really want to purchase the home. You need to know what kind of cost it would take to fix before moving forward with a contract.

Less Conspicuous Issues in an Inspection Report

Historical or older homes may be what you always dreamed of living in, but they can have a wide variety of issues that pop up upon inspection. Pipes and plumbing may be outdated and old. These can be a major water damage issue due to cracks in the pipes or even rust. The way a house settles over the years can compromise a connection which means leaks can occur. Plaster and drywall used in older homes is far more prone to mold and mildew. You need to be sure that this isn’t something that could affect the structural integrity of the home, should it be found. Another aspect to look at is drainage around the exterior of the home. This is important in areas where the earth sits up against the foundation.

Many homes built in the Mid-Century time frame tend to still have original plumbing. These homes also tend to have original electrical systems in them. It’s important to have both of these aspects properly inspected when they are not brand new. If there is evidence of rodent issues, it makes it even more pertinent to look into these as pests can chew on coating which leads to exposed wiring and potential fire hazards.

Lastly, should the home of your dreams come with a cozy fireplace, it is best to have the chimney inspected thoroughly. Many inspectors use cameras to perform these inspections to check for damage, debris that could get caught in the chimney and can be potential fire hazards. For older homes, there are some inspections that can be done to look for any buried oil tanks that may have previously been used on the property. While it may sound strange, it is something that is good to have looked at before closing on an older home.

While an inspection report can be overwhelming, especially if there are any major red flags, they can be used as a great tool for negotiating the price on the home you want to buy. You or your realtor can use the report to get you the best price or have the seller perform the repairs prior to closing. In the end, the inspection report is an integral part of the home buying process and finding an honest and reliable inspector is key in that process.

When you’re ready for your home inspection, [contact Marchese Home Inspections] and have us come and give you an honest report.