Pass Your Home Inspection The First Time, Every Time

The home inspection is one of the most daunting elements of the selling process that any individual looking to sell their home has to go through. A home inspection is performed prior to any buyer putting in an offer because everyone that is interested in your home is also interested in what is below the surface. After all, they are not going to want to invest in a home that looks good but is less than structurally sound. Buyers will therefore seek professional help to identify issues that could put the sale of your home in jeopardy, of which there are 33 common ones. However, there are 11 issues that could seriously damage your chances of selling your home. All 11 are outlined below for you so you can perform a home inspection of your own to make sure that yours will pass with flying colors:

  1. Plumbing - Plumbing can be a major problem as a result of leaks and clogs. These are common in many homes but homeowners may not know anything about it. Inspectors will check for such issues by turning on all of the taps and measuring the water pressure as well as checking the clarity of the water. Both can be indicative of issues with the pipes ad potential blockages or leaks.
  2. Electrical Wiring - Electrical wiring depends on the nature of the circuits in the home. The wiring should be copper or aluminum and should be present in complete circuits so as to avoid fire hazards. In addition, you should have a minimum service of 100 amps.
  3. Unsafe Electrics - Check your circuits as well as the wiring because it can cause a fire hazard. Replace those circuits that need it to ensure a sale.
  4. Basement Issues - The basement of any home can be incredibly problematic because it can undermine the structural integrity of a home. If there is mildew then it can be very difficult to get rid of and damp or flooding is an absolute necessity to get rid of if you want your home to pass the inspection.
  5. Rotting Wood - Window frames and doors are especially prone to rotting if they have been in situ for some time. Always replace rather than simply painting.
  6. Damp Attic - The attic is just as prone to damp as the basement as a result of insulation and ventilation issues so check it out and resolve any structural issues that it may have caused.
  7. Masonry - The masonry of a home is integral to the structure so make sure that all bricks are in good condition. If they are water logged or have worn as a result of moisture then replace them.
  8. Roofing - Repair all leaks and gaps in the rood as well as any guttering and downspouts that are blocked or cracked to prevent future internal issues.
  9. Heating and Cooling - If your home has poor insulation then you are likely to have cooling and heating issues. A poor heating system or an old furnace may also be an issue so you may have to pay for new insulation or replace the boiler or furnace.
  10. Structural Problems - If you have structural issues then this could be really expensive to resolve. The footing and foundations need to be checked for subsidence.
  11. Security - This is an element that many people do not think of but an important one. Check that your security system is working and make sure that there are proper locks and dead bolts in place as well as working smoke and CO monitors in every room.
Most of these issues are not expensive to resolve but could make or break a sale. You have to consider exactly how much you want to sell your home in line with what you are prepared to do to get it through an inspection. Taking care of the issues here will significantly help you either way.

If at any time you have questions about selling real estate in Ulster County or the surrounding area, please don’t hesitate to contact Dylan Taft, Principal Broker/Owner, Taft Street Realty, Inc. - 845.687.9292 office or 845.380.3394 mobile.

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