Importance of Home Inspections

Home inspections are a perfunctory part of a home purchase. Oftentimes, results of a home inspection indicate minimal areas to fix in a home. Sometimes, however, the results of a home inspection will indicate issues that should receive serious consideration prior to the purchase of a home.

A few key categories impact home inspections.

Health &  Safety Issues:

Sometimes the results of home inspections indicate potentially dangerous health hazards in a home. For that reason, health and safety issues are the kind of problems that most often result in inspection objections by buyers.  But, it is important to note that most of these health and safety issues can be completely mitigated and once a successful mitigation occurs a home can be safely purchased free of the health and safety concerns.

Mold can be a condition found in some homes. Mold spores are natural and they are in the air of every home, and they grow in moist areas. There are concerns If mold is left untended, it can cause headaches, illnesses, eye irritation, and rashes. Mold can also cause the disintegration of wood, and long term mold exposure may affect the structural integrity of a home. The key to resolving mold issues is removing the moisture issue, treating the mold, and remediating any structural issues.  Mold usually can be successfully mitigated and should not impede the successful closing on a purchase if the parties to the transaction are willing to reasonably negotiate the necessary mitigation.

Radon is another health and safety factor to consider. High levels of radon in a home has the potential to cause lung cancer, and it is claimed to be the second leading cause for lung cancer. Fortunately, as with other health and safety issues, radon can be mitigated and minimalized below the threshold of the Environmental Protection Agency recommendation for acceptable radon levels in a home and as such, radon  should not cause a sale transaction to fail if the parties reasonably agree on the necessary mitigation.

Asbestos may also be found in the fibers of building materials in older homes. If left unchecked, it is a substance that may cause cancer and lung problems. It is typically best to leave asbestos untouched and avoid areas where it may be found and have a qualified professional environmental inspector evaluate to determine the acceptable mitigation, which may include removal.

Structural Issues:

Structural areas in a home can have a range in level of seriousness.  Among structural issues are water in the crawlspace or leaks in plumbing. Naturally, this impacts the functionability of various aspects of the home, as well as the potential for more serious structural damage. Also consider cracks in the home, any cracks in stucco or siding, and any foundation issues as those may be indicative of a more serious problem. Roof issues tend to top home inspection lists, as well, as they can cause leaks, and in our area, ice dams can be an issue. Termite damage is not common in this area, but if it exists it can impact the structural integrity of a home and should be fixed. Other heating, plumbing, and electrical issues should all be taken into consideration. Overall, structural damages to a home should be weighed for both the impact to the home and cost in repairs. Structural issues will usually be addressed in an inspection objection.

Minor Issues:

A home inspection may also yield more minor issues to fix. Cracked windows, torn carpet, a broken garage door, faulty gutters, warped paint, scratched surfaces, etc., may all occur in the home inspection report. Typically, these issues are easier to fix, although a cost still exists. Buyers and sellers negotiate these areas prior to the sale of the home.

Summary:

Home inspections shed light on important factors to know prior to purchasing a home. Buyers should take the inspection process very seriously, and rely on the expertise of their home inspector to guide them through the varying levels of importance discovered in an inspection. Sellers should be aware of these inspection items, and are well advised to discover and to fix items before they become an issue during the sale process.  Routine maintenance may alleviate some of these areas for a smoother inspection process, and we still recommend pre-inspections for homes more than a few years old.  For the benefit of one of our builder friends, note that home inspectors are not required to have certifications, so you should choose an inspector based on recommendations and experience.          

See below for additional information and resources on inspection health hazards.

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos#asbestos

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html

http://realtormag.realtor.org/tool-kit/closing/article/10-most-common-home-inspection-problems