Jersey Shore Real Estate
February 13, 2008
Top 10 concerns for home buyers and sellers
When buying or selling a home, people are often surprised to find how
appropriate an old maxim-"The more things change, the more they remain the
same"-can be. That's because, no matter the age, style, size or location of a
house, there are common problems that are likely to turn up during a home
inspection.
Knowing what these potential defects are, and preparing to deal with them, is
key to making the most of the buying experience. Dan Steward, president of
Pillar To Post, North America's leading provider of home inspection ser-vices,
identifies these problems as the 10 most common:
- Structural damage: As the foundation settles, it can knock
doorways, walls and support beams out of alignment. The end result could
make the entire house a safety hazard.
- Leaky roof: Roofs may leak due to poor construction or aging
materials. The question is, will the subsequent repairs be minor (replacing
shingles) or major (replacing the entire roof)?
- Faulty wiring: Older homes often need electrical upgrades,
especially if you plan on installing a lot of electronic equipment
(computers, exercise machines) or a pool or hot tub. When electrical
circuits are not overloaded, the risk of fire is reduced.
- Defective heating system: If it's an older system, it can pay to
upgrade to one that uses less energy and is more efficient. If you've got
gas or oil heat, a carbon monoxide detector is advisable.
- Poor drainage: If the property is not properly graded, water may
not run away from the house. In addition, gutters and downspouts should be
checked and replaced if necessary.
- Plumbing problems: Older homes may have faulty pipes made of
polybutylene-popular in the 1970s till the mid-1990s-which are prone to
leakage and should probably be replaced with newer, more reliable materials.
- Poor ventilation: Check the bathrooms. Without sufficient
ventilation, moisture may have built up, potentially causing structural
damage inside the walls.
- Water seepage: If water's coming in, be sure to add caulk and/or
weather stripping to your shopping list. Water leaks can lead to mold,
mildew and dry rot.
- Improper maintenance: Any did-it-themselves, nonprofessional
repairs could be a source of aggravation down the line.
- Hazardous materials: Older homes may contain lead-based paint,
asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon gas or toxic molds. Any of these could
eventually cause serious health problems.
Having a home inspection can help a buyer find out about potential
maintenance problems and repair bills.
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