5 Red Flags on a Home Inspection Report

Credit: Nolan Isaac via Unsplash

A major step in the home-buying process is getting a home you are interested in buying inspected by a professional home inspector. This process ensures that you know exactly what the issues with the home are, and that you are able to make an educated decision on whether to accept the condition, negotiate for repairs or credits, or walk away altogether. This article walks you through 5 red flags to watch out for on the home inspection report of your potential home that shouldn’t be ignored.

Disclaimer: It is advisable for interested parties, whether engaged in purchasing or selling, to consult with a certified and insured home inspector, in addition to seeking counsel from their designated real estate agent.

Structural damage:

Credit: Unsplash

Structural damage can be caused by high winds, seismic activity, or flooding in a home and can pose a major issue for the future of the house. Damage to any part of the structure of your home, whether it be load-bearing walls, the roof, or the foundation, can eventually lead to the stability of the home. Damage in the foundation is especially detrimental to a home and can be irreversible. It is crucial to understand the extent of structural damage in the home as well as the cost to return the home to building code and safety standards.

Water damage:

Credit: Nolan Isaac via Unsplash

Water damage in a home can come from external sources (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) or internal (leaky plumbing or a leaky roof). If water leakage is not quickly fixed, it can lead to long-term damage which can include flooded drywall, warped wood and flooring, and the growth of fungus and mold. At its most extreme, water damage can cause a home to need to be gutted and redone completely. Do not overlook water damage in a home inspection report and avoid paying for it later. If water damage was present and remediated, make sure you receive documentation of it from the homeowner (or yourself if you’ve had the work completed). 

Mold:

Credit: Unsplash

Caused by moisture and water in a home, mold can pose serious health risks. There is an array of different kinds of mold that can grow on almost any surface, from under carpets, in insulation, in attics and basements, and in walls. If mold is in an unseen location, it can grow rapidly and spread throughout the home. Removal of widespread mold can be an extremely costly endeavor, and it is important to take this into consideration when looking at your home inspection report. It’s important to note that nearly all homes will have mold, however, the different species and amount can determine if remediation is required. Like with water damage remediation, get documentation from the homeowner (or yourself if you’ve had the work completed). 

Electrical Issues:

Credit: Unsplash

Electrical issues in a home can vary from heat-producing outlets, flickering lights, aluminum wiring, improperly grounded lines, or counterfeit electrical devices. Although these problems can seem small at first, it can be costly to replace and redo flawed electrical work or even rewire the home in the worst-case scenario. Without being fixed, electrical problems can lead to high energy bills or, in the worst case, a fire.

Pests:

Credit: Unsplash

Pests may be small, but can be quite problemsome for a house. Pests include carpenter ants, termites, cockroaches, mice, moths, and spiders among others. Wood-destroying insects such as termites are especially damaging and can eat away at the structural integrity of your home. Mice can chew at electrical and create other health problems. Exterminating pests can be very costly, toxic, and in some cases, present larger structural issues that you want to avoid. Annual extermination for ants and spiders is normal, however, look for large infestations to understand the scale of the problem.