{"id":404,"date":"2020-04-02T22:41:58","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T05:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.globallane.com\/home.globallane.com\/?p=404"},"modified":"2020-04-19T20:03:09","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T04:03:09","slug":"7-things-home-inspectors-look-for-that-could-spell-doom-for-your-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globallane.com\/home.globallane.com\/7-things-home-inspectors-look-for-that-could-spell-doom-for-your-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things Home Inspectors Look For That May Kill The Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You got an offer on your house! Congrats \u2026 but don\u2019t celebrate yet. Most real estate contracts have a home inspection contingency, which allows the buyer to negotiate their offer, request repairs, or back out of the sale completely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noooooo!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let it be known, flawless home inspections are virtually unheard of. The reality is that no house is perfect and the home inspection report will<\/em> come back with a list of problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that 25% of home sales get delayed during the closing, and home inspections cause 16% of those delays, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet very few deals \u2014 only 2% \u2014 actually die after a seller accepts an offer, according to Realtors surveyed in October 2017. That means even if you hear the worst possible news from a home inspector, the odds are still in your favor for a successful closing. But it might mean making repairs, offering a credit or finding someone who will purchase your home as-is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with top real estate agents, experienced home inspectors of HIABC to uncover the top things home inspectors look for during the home inspection and narrowed it down to the major items that could drag out your closing. That way you can prepare for the worst, know all your options and no matter what, keep your home sale on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Home Inspectors Look For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A home inspector\u2019s checklist is exceedingly thorough. As Eric Huo, a HIABC inspector of 10 years and principal of Total Home Inspection, puts it, \u201canything and everything that has anything and everything to do with the house, we observe, evaluate, and then report on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The buyers want a house that is safe, and that\u2019s what inspectors primarily look for. \u201cOur standard very simply says, we look for things that are significantly deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or not functioning properly,\u201d Eric told HOGV. \u201cThat\u2019s primarily what we do. We don\u2019t nitpick. We don\u2019t look at cosmetics. If there\u2019s wallpaper peeling off the walls, we don\u2019t look at that. If there\u2019s a hairline crack somewhere, we don\u2019t look at that. We predominantly focus on big-ticket items<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 7 major issues that home inspectors look for that can affect the outcome of your sale or cause buyer hesitation when they get the home inspection report. These issues are some of the most expensive and labor-intensive to fix and may pose threats to the safety and function of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what home inspectors look for that, if found, could impact your home sale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Water Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe three biggest things that are bad for a house are water, water, and water,\u201d said Eric. When water gets into a home\u2019s vicinity, it can cause a range of major issues, most of which are red flags for buyers. Water in the basement can be a sign of structural damage, roof leaks or plumbing issues can cause water stains on walls and ceilings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the event of overlooked or hidden water damage, mold can form and potentially make the environment toxic. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to mold in damp, indoor environments is linked with upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In severe cases, mold removal can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Water damage and mold cost the insurance industry $2.5 billion dollars per year, and the average cost of a home water damage insurance claim is nearly $7,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In minor cases of water damage or mold, you may be able to offer the buyer a credit for repair instead of fixing it yourself. This can be negotiated after the inspection report comes back<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If an inspector reports that there are signs of severe water damage in your home or the buyer requests that you repair the damage before closing the sale, bring in a professional to investigate immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"water<\/a>
Source: (Jim in SC\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Your Home\u2019s Structural Integrity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foundations are meant to stay in one place but, over time, water can cause the soil around the foundation walls to expand. When the water goes away, the soil shrinks and the foundation settles, creating cracks and pathways for water to enter the structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to data from over 10,000 structural claims, 25% of all Canadian homes will experience structural distress during their lifetime. The cost to repair or replace foundation can range from $500 to over $10,000, depending on severity. Most homeowners pay about $4,000 for foundation repair and it could take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to fix structural issues. If structural issues are left unfixed, it could lead to more damage to the house and possible safety issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ways to tell if your home has settled or the structure is compromised:<\/p>\n\n\n\n