By Andrew Bash
Andrew Bash of Bash & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty.
Most of us have been here – the dreaded home inspection phase of buying / selling a home!
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, waiting for needles and needles while a home is under inspection can create anxiety. If you are on your way to buy or sell a home, I am here to help.
First, I would recommend meditating (for tips on how to get started with this exercise, read previous issues of this column wink wink!) Second, read on. I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of some of the most common problems that can cause a home to fail the inspection.
Drainage direction
Proper water drainage depends on a floor slope of at least 3% away from the house. If you do not have the right slope of the ground, there is a risk of water damage and the most difficult – foundation movements. Speaking of the foundation …
Bad foundation
Cracks in the foundation of your home are also something the inspector will look out for. These cracks could indicate a problem with the house frame, tree growth under the foundation, or structural problems such as poor reinforcement. Common signs of foundation movement are gaps in closed interior doors or floors that are obviously not level.
Roof repairs
The roof is one of the most important parts of your home and is often one of the first places an inspector checks. If there are problems, it can potentially cause damage to virtually every room in your home. They check for water damage, installation problems and material quality. It’s important to remember that as a house ages, so does the roof. Depending on the material, these repair costs vary from cheap to expensive. This structural necessity must be taken into account when buying or selling an apartment in an old building!
Plumbing problems
Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a pipe replacement, if there is a pipeline problem, inspections are often not performed.
The former is relatively easy to fix and the latter not so much, but regardless of the scale, pipelines need to be repaired. If left alone, these issues can lead to a variety of other problems, including wood rot and mold growth, to name a few.
When you find yourself in a situation where a home failed inspection, there are a few decisions you need to make. When you buy the house, you have the option to include the repairs (or allowance for repairs) in an addendum. Sellers have the option to comply with the request. If it doesn’t, buyers have the option to take their serious money and step back from the contract. The good news is, with proper care, these issues can be fixed before the home inspection phase. If you are a buyer make sure the inspector checks these areas. If you’re a seller these are great starting points to get your home ready for the market!
Bash & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty is an innovative, full-service residential real estate agent using the latest technology to serve clients in emerging, established and luxury neighborhoods in the Kansas City area. Follow them here on Instagram and here on Facebook.
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