It’s
important to be aware of the condition of the home before making a purchase
transaction. In most states, sellers are required to disclose any defects they
know about and feel could negatively affect the buyer. It’s a good idea to make
your purchase contract contingent on a professional home inspection. However, a
home inspector could miss a defect that you would want to know about. Here are
some possible defects that you should look for before signing a purchase
contract:
-
Poor water pressure. Low water flow could be a sign of plumbing problems, such
as old pipes that need to be replaced. Some tests you can do to check for poor
water pressure include running water in a bathroom sink and checking for weak
flow and flushing the toilet while the water is running to see if the faucet
flow drops off during the flush.
-
Ceiling stains. Stains on the ceiling usually suggest something is leaking. If
a stain is beneath a bathroom, it’s likely that a leak is present. Check for
roof leaks because if one is present, this could mean that the shingles need to
be replaced.
-
Abnormally functioning doors. If doors are hard to open and close, they may
have been installed improperly and can usually be corrected. If the problem
seems more serious, it could be a structural issue, such as framing that is
deteriorating. Make sure you thoroughly check all doors to prevent having to
deal with a door with a structural issue.
-
Overloaded electrical outlets or too many extension cords. Outdated electrical
systems will most likely need to be replaced, which could end up being a big
expense. Make sure to ask questions about the electric panel and if it has ever
been replaced.
-
Exterior features that slant toward the home. Features such as the porch,
patio, driveway, or grading that slant toward the home will most likely cause
water to end up in the basement. This could lead to structural decay and mold
and insect infestation. Check for a moldy scent in the basement and stains on
the basement walls.
-
Odors. Pet odors and cigarette smoke can be hard to eliminate and usually do
not go unnoticed. If areas within the home smell too clean or fresh then you
may want to ask questions in case there is an odor problem in disguise.
Making sure all defects are disclosed prior to signing a purchase contract will
help make the transaction smoother and prevent future problems.
