What should a home inspector look for?

Many first-time home buyers rush into a home purchase because they found “the one.” This house has everything a home buyer wanted from their home and could see themselves living in it forever. This often leads to people developing buyer’s remorse because a home may have a lot of issues. These issues may not be easily repairable and could cost much more than what was offered for the property. As a result, a home buyer may end up living in a fixer-upper.

No home buyer should regret making a home purchase. One way to find large issues in a home is by hiring a home inspector. A home inspector is responsible for surveying a home and revealing problems that can lower its value. Here are a few things they look for:

Damages in the foundation

One of the biggest issues a home inspector will look for is foundation damages. This may include cracking in bricks, broken or rotten support beams, sunken areas in a lawn, cracked windows or stuck doors. Any of these issues could create larger problems for home buyers in the future.

Water damage

Water damage can appear in several places. A basement with water damage may indicate that a home frequently floods or there are leaks from pipes. Water damage in the walls or ceiling may indicate that a pipe has burst or leaked. If a roof or attic has water damage, then it could be a sign of holes or weathering. Any form of water damage can lead to mold.

Exposed wires and DIY electrical work

A large problem that inspectors may find in a home is exposed wires and do-it-yourself electrical repair jobs. An exposed wire could create a fire or electrocute someone. DIY electrical repair jobs may not be done correctly, which could also lead to fires and electrocution.

When a buyer finds major issues in a home, it can help them to learn about their legal options to resolve the problem.