How to Tell if a Home Will Need Extensive Repairs
Choosing a new home, whether it's brand-new or just new to you can be an exciting and overwhelming process. Sometimes, it's so overwhelming that we overlook huge red flags. You may love the home so much that it doesn't matter what the home inspection report says, you'll buy it anyway. But, home buyer remorse could set in sooner rather than later if you are blinded to some major home repairs. Try to keep your emotions at bay and take a look at some of the most extensive home repairs that the house may need.
Cracks in the foundation.
Starting from the bottom up, eat your home sits on a foundation and if that foundation is poor, everything above it could eventually start to crumble, crack, and break. This part of the house often gets overlooked, but it literally and figuratively is the foundation of the property. Fixing a faulty foundation can be tens of thousands of dollars and can ripple effect throughout the entire home, causing damage to drywall, plumbing, wiring, and windows. Don't neglect cracks in the foundation and listen to your home inspector on the severity of the issue. Check out foundation issue solutions.
Unpermitted work.
If a home has undergone major renovations, repairs, or additions that are unpermitted, this could be a red flag that things were done out of code. Have your home inspector look over the additions or repairs extensively and try to get them permitted or at least approved by your local building inspector. Read More: What happens the inspection shows unpermitted work
Mold or drainage issues.
Mold is one of those things that you usually can smell in musty or damp basements, but dry rot or black mold behind walls can be unseen for years, only after you start to have health problems or it spreads do you realize there was a problem, to begin with. Any damp or musty smell, leaks under faucets or sinks, and discoloring of walls and ceilings are assigned that mold and mildew or drainage issues may be a problem. Having a qualified mold inspector take a look at these issues could be your best bet for a mold-free home.
Termite issues or pest control.
Homeowners spend about $2 billion a year treating termite issues. This cost is rarely covered by homeowner's insurance and these little bugs are eating machines, which makes them crazy efficient at causing significant damage before you even realize it. Have a specific termite inspection prior to purchase if you even suspect this could be an issue.
Related: 8 Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
Roof or siding issues.
Most home inspectors will tell you there average opinion on your roof, but if they are unsure at all, having a roof inspector that specifically understands the age of the roof, any leaks or issues, composite or shingles on top of other roofing, is really the best way to get a good idea of whether or not the roof will be an issue in the near future.
Again, this doesn't necessarily mean that you have to forgo the house but it does give you leverage in the buying process. If a seller doesn't want to take care of these issues now, chances are a future buyer will require it anyway to complete the purchase. Have your real estate agent negotiate with the listing agent on the best way to approach any of these extensive repairs.
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