02/26

Purchasing a home is a bit like a marathon; it takes longer than you expect it to, but once you cross the finish line, you find that it was all worth it.

One of the steps that is very much worth it, is the home inspection.

According to Porch.com, 86% of home inspections find something that needs to be fixed – and it could save the buyer an average of $14,000.

However, with how hot the real estate market is right now (particularly, for sellers), many buyers are trying their best to make their offer stand out – in June of 2020, 20% of buyers were waiving their inspection contingency.*

But what do home inspectors look for? What are the biggest, most common issues that they find in a home? Let’s check it out!

Home inspectors will evaluate the:

• Roof
• Ceilings
• Walls
• Floors
• Windows
• Major appliances
• Heating & air conditioning systems
• Plumbing & electrical systems
• Home foundation
• Attic
• Basement
• Other structural components
• And more

The most common issues are:

• Roofing – these can be leaks, venting, material condition, proper installation, or other visible issues with the roof.
• Electrical wiring – these can be reversed polarity, frayed insulation, DIY wiring, over-fusing, and mismatched wiring.
• Windows – these usually have to do with energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
• Gutters – clogged gutters can cause water to back up and lead to other damage.
• Plumbing – issues can be leaky faucets, clogged drains, and outdated pipes.

Home inspections can really give a buyer a better understanding of a home and its past history. Jumping through this hoop in the home purchasing experience will be worth it once you have your keys in hand!

*Home inspections are incredibly important, but that doesn’t mean it is a “must do.” Please talk with your real estate agent to see what the best option for you and your purchasing experience might be.