11 High Cost Inspection Traps You Should Know About Weeks Before Listing Your Home For Sale
While the journey to homeownership is as unique as the individuals embarking on it, a common thread among homebuyers is the desire to ensure the hidden aspects of their future homes match the appealing exterior. Will the roof withstand the elements? Is the wiring secure? What about the plumbing?
These critical questions drive homebuyers in Murrieta, Temecula Valley, and the Inland Empire to seek professional insights during the home-buying process. Industry experts highlight at least 33 physical issues scrutinized during a home inspection, with 11 of them being the most prevalent. Unaddressed, these 11 concerns could lead to significant repair costs.
To empower homeowners, we’ve outlined the 11 most common issues to anticipate and address. Recognizing these potential problems allows for a proactive approach, preventing minor issues from escalating into costly, unmanageable ones. Explore our guide, “11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection,” to gain the knowledge necessary for a thorough pre-inspection.
When you list your home in Murrieta, Temecula Valley, or the Inland Empire, the last thing you want are unexpected surprises that could jeopardize the sale. Equip yourself with a comprehensive understanding of these 11 key areas as you navigate your home, providing a proactive defense against future disappointments.
- Defective Plumbing
Defective plumbing can manifest itself in two different ways: leaking, and clogging. A visual inspection can detect leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet.
If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems. - Damp or Wet Basement
An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it.
It could cost you $200-$1,000 to seal a crack in or
around your basement foundation depending on
severity and location. Adding a sump pump and pit
could run you around $750 – $1,000, and complete
waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to $5,000-$15,000. You will have to weigh these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home. - Inadequate Wiring & Electrical
Your home should have a minimum of 100 amps service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and a potential fire hazard. - Poor Heating & Cooling Systems
Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or a poorly functioning heating system, are the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 yrs. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged – they cannot be repaired. - Roofing Problems
Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a wind storm. When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.
- Damp Attic Spaces
Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation and vapor barriers can cause water, moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This can lead to premature wear of the roof, structure and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500. - Rotting Wood
This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present especially when wood has been freshly painted. - Masonry Work
Rebricking can be costly, but, left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home which in turn could lead to a chimney being clogged by fallen bricks or even a chimney which falls onto the roof. It can be costly to rebuild a chimney or to have it repointed. - Unsafe or Overfused Electrical Circuit
A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for large appliances such as stoves and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel. - Adequate Security Features
More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for the basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors,
Dead bolts on the doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs. Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts. - Structural/Foundation Problems
An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home as structural integrity is fundamental to your home.
