50 | JULY 13 • 2023 

REAL ESTATE

W

hen many buyers 
purchased homes 
during the height 
of the pandemic homebuying 
frenzy, they may have skipped 
adding a home inspection in 
an effort to win bidding wars. 
While this may have worked out 
for some, others were hit with 
hidden problems and expenses 
that would have been discovered 
through a proper home inspec-
tion. A thorough inspection can 
reveal hidden issues with a prop-
erty, allowing you to make an 
informed decision about wheth-
er to proceed with the purchase 
or negotiate repairs.
“
A home inspection is one 
of the most important steps 
in the home buying process,
” 
said Adam Bakonis, Mercury 
Insurance product manager for 
homeowners. “It helps protect 
the buyer from purchasing a 
home with undisclosed problems 
and then being saddled with 
costly repairs.
”
Licensed home inspectors can 
help identify potential problems. 
For example, a home inspector 
may be able to identify whether 
a roof requires repair or replace-
ment. They may also find evi-
dence of structural damage from 
water leaks or rainwater drainage 
issues or evidence of land move-
ment that could indicate a prop-
erty’s foundation lacks stability.
“I’ve inspected and repaired 
thousands of buildings that had 
damages due to earthquakes, 
landslides, poor engineering 
designs, and collapse issues from 
construction defects,
” said Kyle 
Tourje, Structural Assessor for 
Alpha Structural. “The most 
obvious signs of structural or 
foundation damage is visible 

cracking in walls, ceilings or 
floors. Any sort of gaps or cracks 
on the outside of the house that 
catches the eye should also be 
noted. If someone who isn’t 
a trained expert can spot an 
uneven floor or substantial slop-
ing, that’s a bad sign.
”
Researching and creating a 
home inspection checklist before 
contacting an inspector will 
give you a general idea of what 
to look for. It can help identify 
significant issues and areas of 
concern in the house, which you 
can then discuss with the asses-
sor. This can prepare you for 
any surprises that may arise and 
make you more informed about 
the condition of the home you 
are considering.
• Inspect the roof: Find out 
how old the roof is and ask ques-
tions about any damage or dis-
coloration you see from ground 
level. Check to see if any nearby 
trees make contact with the roof 
as branches can cause damage 
to roofing tiles and falling leaves 
can easily clog gutters or impede 
the natural flow of water down 
the roof.
• Look for water damage: 
Water can rot wood, damage 

foundations and cause mold to 
grow. Look to see if anything 
would cause rainwater to flow 
onto or under the house. Rain 
gutters should be clean and 
direct water away from the prop-
erty. Water stains on ceilings, 
walls or floors could indicate a 
roof or pipe leak. Check for leaks 
or water stains inside sink cab-
inets and make sure they drain 
properly. Bubbling paint on a 
window frame could be evidence 
of water intrusion and a poor 
seal.
• Foundation: Problems with 
the foundation could prove cost-
ly. Watch out for big cracks in 
the ground, raised foundation or 
large cracks along the wall. Pay 
attention to any trees growing 
close to the house since roots 
underground can cause damage 
that you can’t easily see.
• Smart technology: Confirm 
that any smart home devices left 
behind by the previous owner 
including thermostats, security 
measures and voice-activated 
systems can be easily cleared and 
reset for your needs.
• Note the age of the home: 
Older houses can be charming, 
but you might need to upgrade 

certain features. Original plumb-
ing may need replacement and 
older windows may not be ener-
gy efficient. Wiring that has not 
been modernized could pose a 
fire hazard and may not be able 
to accommodate the multiple 
appliances and systems used in 
many homes today.

TIPS FOR HOME 
INSPECTION DAY
Bakonis offers some tips to 
get the most out of your home 
inspection:
• Be there. You don’t have 
to go to the inspection, but it is 
highly advised that you do so 
you can see any potential prob-
lems for yourself.
• Be prepared. Bring an 
inspection checklist and jot 
down questions to ask the 
inspector.
• Check for disclosures. 
Review any seller disclosures you 
received before inspection day. 
Be sure to ask your inspector to 
look at those areas and verify 
repairs.
• Let the inspector work. 
While you may have concerns, 
avoid unnecessary interruptions 
during the inspection process.
• Make sure there’s time to ask 
questions. Set aside some time 
with your assessor after their 
initial inspection to go over any 
questions you may have.
The home inspection process 
is a crucial step for both buyers 
and sellers. It provides buyers 
with peace of mind, knowing 
that their investment is sound 
and free of any major issues. For 
sellers, it can help prevent a deal 
falling through by being proac-
tive and identifying problems 
that may require repair. 

Buying Without a Home 
Inspection Can Be a Mistake

BPT

