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