One of the first and most important things that happens when you are buying or selling a home is the home inspection. During a home inspection a professional home inpsector will come out to the house you are buying or selling and be a thourough as possible to try and find issues in the property. Most of the inspection reports will be fairly long and detailed. Typically the older the house the more extensive the report will be. When you look at a report most of the items will be minor issues, or even something as simple as a cosmetic issue, but often times an inspector will uncover a major issue when doing the inspection. These major issues can sometimes cause a huge delay or even kill the deal all together. In order to make sure that you are prepared for any inspection you may have coming up, keep reading and learn about 5 of the top red flags that catch the attention of inspectors in the Kansas City market.
1. Roof Problems
This is probably one of the first things an inspector will catch when they are inspecting your home. Inspectors always evaluate the condition of the roof. The roof is one of the most important things on a house and it protects everything inside of the house. A roof that’s in bad shape puts the house at risk of getting water damage the next time it rains.
As with everthing, roofing materials age. Depending on where the house is located that aging process can be accelerated. Typically areas that have big swings in weather cause the roof to age faster. The faster a roof ages the more likely that expensive repairs are on the horizon. Even if a roof is new that doesn’t mean it was installed the right way, so it’s going to be important that it’s inspected as well, because improperly installed roofs can cause large scale damage in a home. For these reasons, problems with the roof are a huge red flag for your home inspector.
Let’s consider, then, some common roofing materials and how and why they cause red flags to pop up . . .
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are by far the most common type of roofing material used throughout the United States. They are the most affordable and have a long life expectancy of 15-40 years. In the Kansas City area, the life span is closer to 20 years. As they age, the edges curl, and they tend to cup up or down. They also blister and lose the granular substance coating the upper surface of the asphalt, causing the underlying matrix to be exposed. When these things happen, as they inevitably do with age, water gets into a home causing water damage and mold/mildew problems.
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Wood shingles in the Kansas City market aren’t as popular as they were 20-30 years ago. As they age, wood shingles and shakes display similar symptoms to those of asphalt shingles. They may cup and curl, but also lift and split, as well as being susceptible to insect damage – things that can result in water intrusions.
Terra Cotta, Concrete, and Slate Tiles
The longest-lived of all roofing materials, terra cotta, concrete, and slate tiles have a life expectancy of 20 to 100+ years. But the problem with these materials is that they are very brittle, and that means that seasonal expansion and contraction will cause them to crack and get loose allowing for water intrusion – a major red flag for your home inspector.
2. Window Problems
Window problems and issues constitute another red flag that will catch the attention of a home inspector (even though many home buyers/sellers tend to overlook them). The reason for this is that window problems very often indicate larger issues with a house, such as settling and foundation problems.
Window red flags include a draft around windows, condensation on the glass, and windows that stick making them difficult to open or close. Even if there are no major problems causing the window issues, replacing windows alone can be a pretty expensive proposition. The average cost of a good window is over $500, and that doesn’t include installation expenses.
3. Outdated Wiring and Electrical Issues
Almost on par with roof problems as a red flag for a home inspector are outdated wiring and electrical issues.
These are a grace concern because they present a definite fire hazard. They can also compromise other essential home functions. If electrical power is lost, you won’t have light, heat/AC, or cold food in the frig – all definite disruptions as well as potential dangers.
House fires due to faulty wiring are a common occurrence, and rewiring a home to avoid this risk is very costly undertaking. So if you suspect electrical problems, consult a Kansas City agent before bringing in the home inspector. To discover more, just call (913) 708-1185.
4. Grade Problems and Poor Drainage
Grading problems are another big red flag. Water that doesn’t drain away from a foundation properly is going to cause major problems. If the grade of the house isn’t right there will be problems.
Some of those problems can be wet basements or crawl spaces. The soil can also expand and contract which can cause foundation issues. This movement can cause cracking or settlement which will eventually lead to major issues that could cost thousands to repair. Poor or improper drainage can also result in water wicking up the foundation into walls leading to rot and mold/mildew.
5. Problems With Stucco Exteriors
This won’t apply everywhere, but in regions where stucco exterior finishes are common, stucco problems will definitely catch the attention of a home inspector.
Stucco is a fine finish in the right climate, and when applied correctly can last a lifetime. But applied incorrectly, it can lead to major problems. For example, if patios and walkways have been poured too high such that the weep screed is covered over, the drainage system can’t work properly. And in that case, can enter walls and living spaces.
Assistance to Avoid Red Flags
These are the biggest things that will stand out to an inspector and raise red flags. There are still more things though that an inspector will be looking for and as mentioned before, these red flags can kill a deal. The best way to make sure you don’t have to deal with them is to work closely with an experienced real estate agent Kansas City. If you’re worried about what an inspector will find, give us a call.