Almost all home buyers hire a professional home inspector before closing to see their new house. When you analyze your home’s condition beforehand and make the necessary repairs before the contract, you can speed things up. When it comes to whole house inspections, there are a lot of home systems that get covered; however, only a handful of spots are what most buyers are concerned about.
Whether you are a home seller or a home buyer who’s applying for a one time close construction loans Texas, knowing what most home inspectors look for will help you understand what to look for in a house and know how to improve your house.
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Mold and Mildew
Nothing scares buyers faster than mildew stains and odors. This is especially true with toxic black molds. If you have mildew and molds, you’ll probably not have any acceptable offer with the fungus and molds present. If you see that your home’s frame is just the standard variety, it’s best to treat it as soon as possible.
Damp Crawl Spaces and Basements
If you find mildew odors in your basement, it’s one signal that the place is too moist. Home inspectors and buyers look closely at the floors and walls for any sign of dampness and mildew patches. Inspectors often use a meter to see how much moisture is in these spaces since it can attract unwanted insects as well as deteriorate the building materials. Exposed earth in crawl spaces and basements should be covered to help decrease moisture levels. In most cases, “leaks” in foundations are due to the poor drainage which funnels the water to the foundation.
What you can do here is clean the gutters to avoid having the rainwater spill over the sides of the gutters along the foundation. You should also check the water flow by flooding the drainage lines with water using a hose. The line is plugged you see that water comes back to you.
Roof and Chimney
Another thing that home inspectors and home buyers see is the roof coverings and deteriorated shingles. If the elements under the shingles are rotted or moist, you should request the necessary repairs. In some states, a separate roof inspection is often required to ensure that the flashing around your chimney’s base is watertight. Check that the mortar and bricks are in excellent condition. Not only should that but the fireplace be functioning correctly.
Plumbing Problems
Before your inspection, go fix any leak you can find. Inspectors check the water pressure by merely flushing the toilets and turning on several faucets all at once. Not only that but the inspector will check the septic tank and run the dishwasher.
Inadequate Electrical Systems
Your circuit breaker configuration and the electric panel must be enough for your whole house. These systems often change throughout the years especially when it comes to older homes. When it comes to the kitchens and bathrooms, the inspector will also check the receptacles.
The receptacles usually have mini-circuit breakers which click off during the overload or short circuit. The home inspector, on the other hand, ensures that the receptacles aren’t dummies.