The Top 5 Home Inspection Red Flags to Look Out For Before Buying
Briefly

The Top 5 Home Inspection Red Flags to Look Out For Before Buying
"One of the main things to look out for when buying a home is problems with the foundation, especially if there are horizontal cracks, says Redfin real estate agent David Palmer. "If I see those, it's an immediate stop. At the very least, you're going to need a foundation expert to take a look." If the cracks are vertical, it's not as worrisome - "unless it's large enough to stick a coin into."
"Water stains on the ceiling or bad musty smells in a basement could mean leaks, roof problems, or bad sewer line drainage. Water in the home can warp wood, peel paint, and even weaken the structure of the house. Past flooding could also be the cause of excess moisture in the home, but at that point you're not just dealing with water damage. Floods can leave behind hidden mold, damage to electrical systems, and compromise the"
A thorough home inspection can reveal costly, hidden problems that affect safety and habitability. Structural issues such as horizontal foundation cracks, old wooden foundations, sloping floors, sagging, and wall cracks can indicate major, expensive repairs and warrant a foundation expert. Vertical cracks may be less urgent unless large enough to fit a coin. Water stains, musty basement smells, roof leaks, and poor sewer drainage signal moisture problems that can warp wood, peel paint, and weaken structure. Past flooding raises risks of hidden mold and electrical damage. Local risks like regional foundation issues or flooding history increase repair likelihood and cost.
[
|
]