A part of closing a real estate sale is having a home inspection done. It’s a key element in determining how much a home is worth, what needs fixing, and what sort of contingencies one may want to include in their real estate sales agreement.

A home inspection can reveal all sorts of hidden, unseen issues, including structural problems and safety hazards.

During an inspection, a home inspector walks through the property and does an examination of various components, from the quality of the foundation to the integrity of the roof, HVAC system, and more. Needless to say, there are a lot of areas where things can go wrong. Fortunately, there are always fixes.

Here is what to look for in a home inspection and what can be done about these very common problems.

Structural Issues

Cracks in the foundation. Signs of termite damage. Rotting wood. Materials that are failing. Whether it’s caused by age, moisture, pests, or something else, structural issues can be rather serious and should be addressed prior to even putting a property out for sale.

HVAC Wear And Tear

A home’s heating and cooling system accumulates wear and tear. If it has not been properly maintained, there could be clogged filters, leaky ductwork, or dirty condenser coils that need replacing. It’s best to complete these repairs prior to a home sale and they’re not particularly expensive, either.

Modern homes place a lot more demand on their energy and electrical grid than older homes ever did. Electrical outlets, circuit breakers, and electrical wiring are all checked in a home inspection to make sure the home can keep up with the demand put on it.

If there are fire hazards or inadequacies found in the electrical, it’s time for an upgrade and modernization.

Needs New Roofing

Roofs eventually fail. It happens. Especially in older homes, it’s common. Missing or damaged shingles. Loose flashing. Water leaks. A new roof can cost thousands of dollars to install so understandably, if there are issues, a buyer or seller must determine which party is going to shoulder that cost in a sale.

Plumbing Troubles

Plumbing can fail or be damaged, especially in older homes. Leaky pipes. Drainage problems. Low water pressure. A lot of these are low-cost fixes while others may require higher-than-expected expenses to complete the repair.

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Presence Of Mould

Mould in the bathroom, kitchen, or basement is a major issue. It can lurk within walls and under floorboards, and cause all sorts of trouble. It often comes with excessive moisture, musty scents, and drainage issues. This takes a contractor to do a thorough investigation and provide an estimate on what the fix is.

Dated Windows

Older-style single-pane windows are poorly insulated, causing air to escape, energy needs to be above average, and utility bills to be high. Alternatively, if the windows are not opening and closing properly, difficult to move, or are loose, they may need to be modernized with new, double-pane, eco-friendly windows.

Quality Of The Fence

If the property has a yard and a fence, a home inspector will look to see how well-kept it is. If there are pieces broken, missing, or sagging. Peeling paint or rotting wood should ideally be repaired prior to an inspection.

Asbestos & Lead Paint

If the home you’re looking at was built before 1980, it may contain asbestos or lead paint. If this is detected in a home inspection, a professional must be called to remove any traces of asbestos or lead paint from the property due to the severe long-term health effects these materials are associated with.

Finding Your Dream Home With Adrian + Andrea

As experienced real estate agents in South Etobicoke, we at Adrian + Andrea have seen a wide array of properties sold in our community. From newly renovated to slightly dated homes, you can rely on us and our team to provide strong advice on how to sell your home, what repairs may be best done to increase offers and to ensure you close the sale in a timely manner for maximum dollar.

Ready to find your dream Etobicoke home? Reach out to us today. Call (416) 319-6893 or reach us at info@adrianandrea.com.