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When
you find a home you would like to purchase, you should
engage the services of a home inspector. The home
inspector will review all the elements in the house,
including the structure, foundation, and systems to assure
that things are in good condition, good working order, and
point out needed repairs and/or problems.
A
home inspection will cost between $200 and $400 depending
on your location. You can keep an eye out for potential
major problems and eliminate a property from your list
before you engage a home inspector.
A
wet, clammy, or smelly basement is a sign of moisture or
water. A damp feel can hint at water seepage caused by
improperly graded soil or a foundation that is improperly
laid. Cracks in the basement, either in the interior or on
the exterior foundation, could indicate settling in excess
of what is considered normal. The house may have been
built on a new landfill or an improperly graded site.
Cracks in the foundation can also be a sign that the area
is prone to earth movement or earthquakes.
Poorly
fitted duct work in the heating and cooling systems can
cause problems, especially if the original work was not
done properly. Check the duct lines and make sure they are
snugly fitted and secure. Black marks along duct seams are
signs that air is leaking from the duct work and
subsequently not making its way to the intended
rooms.
If
you notice discolored spots on the walls or ceilings,
there may be a leak from the roof, walls, or plumbing.
Fresh paint may be used to disguise a problem,
particularly on the top floor of the house.
Skylights
are extremely popular today and are usually one-piece
units that are popped into a hole that is cut in the roof.
Check for discoloration, peeling paint, and other signs
that the seal around the skylight is leaking, or that the
skylight is improperly fitted.
A
damp attic is a sign of improper ventilation and can lead
to moisture being trapped in the upper recess of the
house. This can lead to condensation or dry rot. Check for
insulation and ask about the R factor (the higher the R
factor number, the better). Make sure the insulation is
facing the correct way, too.
If
you see untidy masonry work, this may be a sign of a
larger problem. In an existing home, sloppy masonry can be
an indication of a slipshod repair job. In new
construction, it can mean that other work was done poorly
as well.
Do-it-yourself
electrical work should be avoided. Improper electrical
wiring is a fire hazard and can be costly to
correct.
For
the most part, it's wise to walk away from a property with
these kinds of problems. If you have a sense that
something is wrong, a house inspector will likely confirm
your suspicions. Look for properties without obvious
defects. A professional house inspector will look past the
obvious, and may turn up some concerns, but you won't be
throwing away money to inspect a house that you knew had
problems from the start.
Copyright 2001
PropertySource Network |
