For your safety and the safety of your belongings, it is of utmost importance that everything in your home is functional and in good condition. However, there are always those tiny things that do no harm, but we neither have the time nor money to fix them.
But, as you are probably aware, when you decide to sell your home, the buyers will have a home inspection to check the condition of your home. Failing a home inspection is a big issue and can either become a deal-breaker or cause you to sell at a significantly reduced price.
So, before the inspection team comes, you’ll need to ensure your home will pass this nerve-wracking test. Of course, there’s a genuine possibility you, as a non-professional in this area, will miss something. Here are the five unexpected things that fail a home inspection you need to make sure you check.
Your home might look super-sturdy, but there might be hidden structural issues to it
So, you have a nice-looking home you are trying to sell with a lovely façade and a perfect yard you are proud of. Why would anyone ever think a house so pretty could be structurally at risk?
Well, the pretty exterior won’t be enough for the inspectors to automatically presume your home is satisfactory regarding structural issues. They will be looking for cracks in the foundation, the stucco, or wood beam damage. Fixing these issues falls under the category of capital investments which no buyer is willing to take on.
To ensure that your potential buyer doesn’t run away, here are a few structural issues indicators to look for in particular:
- Visible cracks. You must determine whether the cracks you discover are merely a cosmetic issue or indicate something far more problematic.
- Uneven floors. These sometimes indicate the settling ground beneath the property or bad construction.
- The presence of wood-destroying insects. When left unsupervised, the seemingly harmless tiny creatures can eat away the essential wooden elements of your home. To be on the safe side, make sure you eradicate them.
- Presence of water. Water can create all sorts of problems that are very hard to solve. Pay attention to the basement, roof, and any other areas of the house where water should not be present.
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Your fireplace and chimney may not be in such good condition
The chaos that comes with your home’s sale might make you entirely disregard your fireplace and chimney. But rest assured, the people performing the home inspection will not. And, frankly, making sure these elements of your home are in proper condition is something you should have done before.
The soot deposits on the chimney’s inner walls are a health hazard. We are talking about very small particles that can be inhaled or end up in the mouth or eyes, causing an asthmatic attack and other health issues. The dampers should be able to open and close properly, which is another thing a good inspector will check. Also, your chimney might have become a home for a bird family, so look for the nests there.
Toxic substances are things that fail a home inspection
Speaking of health hazards, a major concern is the presence of some very toxic substances around the house. Here are the three main problems when it comes to toxic materials around your house:
Asbestos
Asbestos was considered in the past to be one of the most remarkable building materials. Then, the scientists found that the fine particles of it can easily reach the lungs and cause cancer. For that reason, if you discover the presence of asbestos in your home, hire professionals to remove it. You don’t want to put your health at risk.
Lead paint
Lead paint is another toxic substance that can’t remain in your home whether you want to sell it or keep it. When inhaled, lead paint particles can lead to lead poisoning that causes reproductive problems, anemia, kidney damage, and many other severe health problems.
Mold
Apart from the previous two highly toxic matters, mold might seem harmless. Nevertheless, it is one of the things that fail a home inspection. A tricky thing about mold is that it sometimes lurks from behind the furniture. But inspectors know that and will check everywhere.
To ensure you can properly inspect your home before the official inspection, removing all your stuff from the house would be good. You can rent a storage unit if you don’t know where to put them. You can even find a climate-controlled one for your more sensitive items – think about this option, as it might preserve your belongings and help you conduct the proper inspection.
Radon gas – the silent menace lurking from below
In the soil your house is standing on, uranium might be decaying and releasing radioactive gas radon. This gas has no smell, so there’s no other way to find it but by conducting a particular test. This gas can also cause lung cancer, so you must take care of it.
Make sure your swimming pool adds to the value of your home instead of decreasing it
The swimming pool is a great feature that adds to the value of your house. But only if it is fully functional and all its elements are in perfect order.
Check your swimming pool pumps and heaters first. They are expensive to replace, and buyers will be thrown off if they are defective. Also, look for signs of leakage. This one feature might help you sell your house faster, so ensure it’s in top condition.
Final thoughts
A home inspection is an event that can determine the course of the sale, so it is a good idea to prepare for it well. If you pay attention to these five unexpected things that fail a home inspection, you will make sure you avoid shocking results of your home inspection. Ensure you fix all the issues plaguing your house, and you will have a good chance of selling it at a high price in no time.