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Don't
Get Stuck With A Money Pit!
Home Inspector Reveals 6
Signs That Could Mean
Expensive Trouble...
Most people think a house that has
expensive defects will be very obvious to detect,
but often the most expensive defects are hidden
and take a little more investigating.Here are
six signs to look for when inspecting a house...
1. Roof
Roof problems usually take the form of leaks. These can be difficult
to spot from the outside. In fact, the surface of a roof may look
perfectly sealed. However, if you view the roof from the attic,
you may quickly spot water marks where it is leaking.
2. Plumbing System
A home has two water systems. The first brings fresh water in; the
second takes sewage out. Both are vital to your enjoyment of the
home, and if either breaks down, repairs can be costly. That's why
it's very important that you have a good sense of the condition
of the homes water systems before you buy.
3. Electrical Systems
In a modern home, having
a working electrical system is absolutely essential. You want to
have enough power to operate all your appliances plus any tools
you have plus your lights, all at the same time. Also...you
want to be assured that you aren't going to get a shock -- or worse
-- from your wall plugs or light fixtures.
4. Heating and Cooling Systems
Like the plumbing and electrical
systems, the heater and air conditioner are vital to any home --
and they can be expensive to fix if they break down. A thorough
home inspection will include an examination of these for problems.
5. Bad Paint and Wood Rot
The face a home presents to the world is composed
of its exterior material and the paint that goes
on top of it. Inside, the walls are usually made
of drywall. By carefully examining the paint coat
you can often determine not only whether the home
needs cosmetic work but also whether there's an
underlying problem. When inspecting it's important
to take the time to look at both the outside and
the inside paint. Check several places on several
walls. You can learn a lot with just your eyes
and a screwdriver for poking.
6. Cracks and other scary indicators
The foundation holds up a home. Quite literally, if your home has
a bad foundation, it could fall down. More likely, however, a bad
foundation means cracks will appear in walls, doors won't close
properly and floors will be uneven. This condition could get progressively
worse, lasting for decades, before there is any serious threat of
the structure itself collapsing. Nevertheless, a bad foundation
is a serious problem for any property and must be assessed carefully.
It might easily be the reason that a buyer could demand and a seller
could agree to a lower price, if not direct corrective work.
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