Inspection Traps That Can Cost Thousands When Selling
The items listed below are some of the major components of a home that and Buyer’s Inspector will be looking at. To avoid delays in your sale, along with costly and inconvenient repairs, it’s important to make sure everything in your home is functioning correctly.
The following are a list of items that should be inspected by the home owner or qualified individuals and anything needing to be serviced, repaired or replaced should be remedied before even putting the home on the market.
Roofing
There are a variety of items that Inspectors will be looking for here: aging and physical deterioration, curling or splitting shingles, proper flashing and damaged or missing shingles.
Gutters and Downspouts
When gutters or downspouts leak water can run down the exterior walls, this could eventually lead to water ingression in the attic or walls potentially causing damage and eventually rot and mold.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling systems require regular service and maintenance. These items should be serviced and any repairs required should be completed before listing the home for sale. Receipts for this should be available for the Buyer and the Inspector to review.
Electrical Wiring
All electrical wiring and breakers should be up to code and meet all safety requirements. Aluminum wiring has become a bigger issue with insurance companies recently and could require a Safety Certification from a Certified Electrician.
Save Thousands Selling Your Home with The Olson Team.
SELL Your HOME for only
2.5% COMMISSION
- Full MLS® Marketing
- Professional Photography & Video
- Internet & Social Media Marketing
- Expert Guidance and Advice
- 35 Years of Professional Service
- Traditional Client Care
- Modern Home Selling System
Plumbing
A building Inspector will check every part of the plumbing looking dripping faucets, slow draining sinks, clogged bath and shower drains, running toilets, signs of current or past leaking around the base of the toilet and leaks in the piping.
Insulation and Ventilation
Poor insulation and poor ventilation cause excessive utility costs, a lack of comfort and poor ventilation can lead to moisture build up in the air which can eventually lead to mold and rot.
Drainage and Grade Sloping
Grades that slope towards the home can lead to damp or wet basements/crawlspaces, foundation movement, cracking or settlement. Water wicking into the foundation could lead to moisture, mold and rot in the walls, framing and insulation and even in the attic. Also, soil graded higher than the foundation and touching the siding could lead to moisture ingress or insect infestations.
Moisture, rot and mold
Not only is it extremely unhealthy, it can be expensive to remediate. And will send some Buyers running away.
Hot Water Heaters
If your hot water tank is older than 10 years old, even though its working perfectly fine and not leaking, Inspectors will write on the report that’s it is beyond its life expectancy and will recommend replacing it.
Permits for Upgrades
Upgrades are a great way to improve the home and its value, but if the required permits have not been applied for, or the final inspections have not been completed, it could cause delays in your sale, and cause some Buyers to walk away and find a different home.
Building Code Violations
Again, renovations and additions are a great way to increase a home’s value, but if the work isn’t done to code, it could be a big problem for some Buyers and cause some to buy a different home.
Overall condition
The Building inspector begins to form an opinion of your home the minute they pull up in front of it. If the out of season decoration are still up, or there are toys, boxes and stuff cluttering, walkways, entryways, hallways etc. and he/she has to constantly move things out of their way to do their inspections properly, and there is an overall lack of maintenance, their opinion of your home will likely be unfavorable and that will be reflected in their report.
Save Thousands Selling Your Home with The Olson Team.
SELL Your HOME for only
2.5% COMMISSION
- Full MLS® Marketing
- Professional Photography & Video
- Internet & Social Media Marketing
- Expert Guidance and Advice
- 35 Years of Professional Service
- Traditional Client Care
- Modern Home Selling System
Learn More:
Seller's Reports:
Olson Team Real Estate Agents
MLS® Search Terms of Service Privacy Policy
2 Percent Realty West Coast
The Olson Team Real Estate Agents. Serving Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Walnut Grove and Surrounding Areas. 2 Percent Realty West Coast