Many home buyers will require a home inspection before they decide to close on a new house. If you are trying to sell your home or thinking about selling your home in the near future, it might be good idea to be aware of the most common home inspection pitfalls that could sabotage your sale.
- Home buyers will likely require that your replace broken window seals and windows with signs of condensation or water damage.
- Leaks in your plumbing, even if they appear to be minor, can be a major red flag on your home inspection. Leaks around your toilet’s seal are especially troublesome, since they can cause serious damage to the floor around the toilet’s base.
- Signs of mold during a home inspection can send home buyers running for the hills! Mold loves moisture making bathrooms, basements, areas around your windows and other damp places in your home vulnerable. It is best to remove the source of a mold infestation and then clean up the evidence that there was a mold problem, prior to a home inspection.
- Electrical and wiring issues. If wiring is not up to code or has been damaged, it can cause a huge headache when selling your home. Be on the lookout for light switches that are not working properly, outlets that do not reset or spark, circuit breakers that tend to trip, flickering lights, etc.
- Damage and issues with your roof. Repairing or replacing a roof is a monumental expense for any home owner, so it is unlikely that a home buyer will be interested in purchasing your home if the roof needs work. Hail damage, missing tiles, leaky issues or even cosmetic repairs may cost you the sale.
- Heating and cooling equipment that is out of date, not up to code or that is not functioning properly will be an issue during a home inspection. Cracks in your furnace, leaky ductwork, Freon leaking from your air conditioning are just some of the issues to be on the lookout for.
- Curb appeal issues. Damaged and worn out asphalt, concrete or pavement can be a major concern for home buyers since it can be very expensive to repair these issues. Additionally, it can be extremely beneficial for you to keep up with your landscaping when trying to sell your home. Keep in mind that the first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your home, so making sure it is as visually appealing as possible is vital in the home selling process.
Good luck selling your home!
