Buying a home is an exciting process but can be full of many stresses and uncertainties. However, a professional home inspection can reduce many of these stresses. It helps reveal the property's actual condition and enables you to make a better decision. 

In this blog, we’ll explore five home inspection issues that could ruin your deal. Usually, these problems require lots of money to fix, or in some cases, can render the home unsafe to live in. Let’s explore the most common home inspection issues that could lead to a deal falling apart.

1- Foundation Problems

Foundation problems are often the biggest red flags in home inspections. If the foundation is broken, the rest of the structure may be at risk, too. Cracked, shifting, and settling foundations can be expensive and difficult to repair.

Why It’s A Deal-Breaker

• Tens of thousands of dollars may be required for foundation repairs.

• A faulty foundation can eventually lead to other structural problems, such as uneven floors, misaligned doors, and cracks in the walls.

Signs To Look For

• Visible cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings.

• Windows and doors that do not open or close properly.

• Uneven or sloping floors.

2- Roofing Issues

The roof is another major component that cannot be ignored. A home inspection issue related to the roof could indicate serious trouble. Roof replacements are a costly affair, and even the slightest leaks can lead to serious problems in the future, like water damage and mold growth.

Why It’s A Deal-Breaker

• The cost of replacing a roof can be thousands of Dollars, depending on its size, design complexity, and the type of material it is made from.

• A leaking roof will cause long-term damage like mold, rot, and structural damage.

Signs To Look For

• Missing or broken shingles.

• Water stains on the ceiling.

• Sagging or uneven rooflines.

3- Electrical System Problems

Malfunctioning electrical systems can be quite dangerous and also expensive to repair. A home inspection issue highlighting outdated wiring or unsafe electrical systems should never be taken lightly. Electrical problems may cause fire risks or frequent power outages.

Why It’s a Deal-Breaker

• Upgrading or repairing an electrical system involves a heavy investment.

• Old wiring or faulty circuit breakers can be a fire hazard, which presents a safety risk to you and your family.

Signs To Look For

• Outdated or insufficient circuit breakers.

• Unstable lights flickering on or off. 

• Constant power surges.

• Exposed or frayed wires.

4- Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems are among the most common home inspection issues and also some of the most expensive to fix. Property owners face a great deal of trouble due to leaky pipes, out-of-date plumbing, or a failing water heater. At times, plumbing problems may very well go unobserved until they wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your home.

Why It’s A Deal-Breaker

• Major pipe replacement smacks of a small fortune, and plumbing repairs, in general, can escalate quickly.

• Mold growth, water damage, and even structural problems can come from undetected leaks.

Signs To Look For

• Leaking or corroded pipes.

• Low water pressure.

• Ceiling or wall water stains.

5- Pest Infestations

People do not care much about the pests, but they can inflict extensive damage. For example, termites can eat through wood and erode the house's structure. Damage caused by rodents like mice or rats can also damage insulation or wiring. A home inspection issue involving pests should never be ignored.

Why It’s A Deal-Breaker

• Fixing termite damage can cost thousands of dollars.

• Rodents can be detrimental to your health, and they require an expensive extermination.

Signs To Look For

• Holes or tunnels in wooden structures.

• Droppings or nests in basements or attics.

• Chewed wiring or insulation signs.

Why Do These Home Inspection Issues Matter?

These home inspection issues can be costly, time-consuming, and even dangerous. Sometimes, the repair costs can be higher than your estimation, and the problem cannot be easily corrected at other times. The more important matter is understanding the degree of these troubles to decide if the home is worth it.

If these issues surface, you may have to haggle with the seller to do something to correct the situation or, worse yet, walk away from the sale. The goal is to prevent pushing forward with a home that will require you to put in more work than it’s worth.

Conclusion

A home inspection issue can make or break your home-buying experience. Some matters are small and can be resolved quickly, while others incur heavy costs and are even dangerous. Foundation, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and pest infestations are five of the most common home inspection issues that could cause a deal to fall through.

The truth is, prior to making any decisions, one must have an idea about the scope of the problems involved, the costs, and the risks that may be associated with them. Your home inspection is intended to locate problems before you seal the deal. If you find any or more of these issues during your home inspection, you must be prepared to negotiate some repairs or walk out of the deal if the problems are too serious.

You don’t want to end up buying a home with hidden problems. Safe House Property Inspections provides a thorough and reliable home inspection service. Our experienced team will help you spot home inspection issues before they become a deal-breaker. Contact us now to book an inspection for your new home so you can sleep in it peacefully.