Posts from December 9th, 2016

Nearly all home buyers hire a professional home inspector to take a close look at their new house before closing. You can speed things along by analyzing the condition of your home and making necessary repairs now, before the house is under contract.

Whole-home inspections cover numerous systems within the house, but there are a handful of hot-spots that concern buyers the most.

Mold & Mildew

Mildew stains and odors scare buyers, especially now that toxic black mold is such a hot topic.

You likely won't even get an acceptable offer if mold and mildew are present. Even if the mold in your house is the normal variety, treat it and address the source of the problem.

Damp Basements and Crawlspaces

Mildew odors signal that a basement is too moist. Buyers and home inspectors will look closely at the walls and floors for patches of mildew and signs of dampness. The inspector might use a meter to determine how much moisture is present in these spaces, because moisture deteriorates building materials and attracts insects.

Cover exposed earth in basements and crawl spaces with plastic to help keep moisture levels down.

Most foundation "leaks" are a result of poor drainage that funnels water towards the foundation. To address this issue, consider the following steps:

• Make sure gutters are clean so that rainwater flows toward downspouts instead of spilling over gutter sides along the foundation.

• Point drainage downspouts away from the house.

• Check water flow through buried drainage lines by flooding them with water from a hose. If water comes back towards you, the line is plugged and should be cleared.

If foundation problems do exist, and you cannot make repairs, you might need to lower the price of the house upfront, with the understanding that the price reflects the problem.

Another option is to give the buyers an allowance to make repairs after closing.

Roofs and Chimneys

Deteriorated shingles or other roof coverings are one of the first things home buyers and home inspectors notice. If the elements underneath the shingles are moist or rotted, repairs will likely be requested.

Make sure flashing around the base of the chimney is watertight, and that mortar and bricks are in good condition.

Inspect the fireplace to make sure it is functioning properly.

Plumbing Problems

Fix leaks long before the home inspection takes place. The inspector will check water pressure by turning on multiple faucets and flushing toilets at the same time. The inspector will also run the dishwasher.

The home inspector might check the septic system. One method uses dyes that are flushed down a stool. The inspector waits to see if the dye surfaces on top of the septic drainfield, which would indicate a drainage problem.

Inadequate or Inferior Electrical Systems

The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration should be adequate for the needs of the house.