After your home inspection, you’ll receive a report to read through that will give you a lot of information about your home. Generally speaking, updates are cosmetic and not anything to worry about, however, you want to keep your eye out for major repairs and other non-negotiables in the report.
Here are 5 potential deal breakers to keep an eye out for:
An Old Roof
A well-maintained roof can last for 30 years or more and is a crucial part of the longevity of your home. If your home inspector tells you the roof is in poor condition, you need to think critically about whether this is the home for you or not, as a new roof can cost $10,000-$30,000.
Outdated Electrical
Knob and tube or aluminum wiring can be a fire hazard and expensive to replace. If your home inspector mentions outdated electrical, it may mean this isn’t the right home for you.
Plumbing Issues
You’ll want to ask your inspector to not simply look at the indoor plumbing and functionality, but to also film the pipes leading from the house to the street. You want to be aware of any cracks or roots growing in the pipes before closing.
Shoddy Remodels
Sometimes sellers do some quick upgrades without a professional or permits to help their home sell. Cosmetic upgrades aren’t too important, but can be a sign of deeper mistakes. If your inspector finds anything questionable, it may be time to go back to the hunt.
Flood Zone
Homes near a river or stream aren’t always in a flood zone, and homes far from a river or stream aren’t always out of a flood zone. While this won’t show up on an inspection report, you want to check this out on the FEMA Map Database before closing.
PROTIP: Don’t panic if any of these pop up on an inspection report. Before leaving the deal, we’ll work together to see if there is space for negotiations with the sellers.
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