Buying or selling a home is very stressful and home inspections can create a lot of anxiety in the process. Once an offer is accepted, the next step is for the home to be inspected. This is not mandatory but highly recommended for buyers. Buyers are looking to purchase the home they are expecting and the inspection will verify that or notify you of items so you are not surprised upon moving in.

For sellers- it’s a great idea to have an inspection prior to the home going on the market. This will let you know about any issues upfront which will give you peace of mind knowing that any unknown issues could come up makes for a smooth transaction.  You may have items that should be repaired prior to listing your home or your agent may have some suggestions on how to handle them. Also, some repairs may need to be made by the lender if the buyer is getting financing. Being proactive and having a professional inspector come out beforehand spares the seller of  unknown surprises and can mak

For sellers- it’s a great idea to have an inspection prior to the home going on the market. This will let you know about any issues upfront which will give you peace of mind knowing that any unknown issues could come up makes for a smooth transaction.  You may have items that should be repaired prior to listing your home or your agent may have some suggestions on how to handle them. Also, some repairs may need to be made by the lender if the buyer is getting financing. Being proactive and having a professional inspector come out beforehand spares the seller of unknown surprises and can make the home free of major defects.

Ten Home Inspection Checklist Items to be Familiar with

1.) Mold – This is more commonly found on home inspections than one might think.  Mold needs darkness, moisture and a source of food/ energy. Boise, though a desert has cool damp falls and the spring weather is the same which can create ideal conditions for mold growth. Do not panic! Hire a professional contractor to give an estimate for remediation and to complete necessary repairs to prevent it in the future.

2.) Poor Grading – This is an issue Idaho Real Estate Agents see all the time and it is one of the most basic things to remedy. This refers to the how soil is situated around the foundation of the home. Soil around the home should slope away from the foundation which will move water away from the home, maintaining the integrity of the foundation and reducing the risk of mold issues in the crawlspace.

3.) Roof Condition -Replacing a roof can be very expensive. An inspector isn’t necessarily a roofing expert, if the inspection indicates that the present roof is shot, get a second opinion. Sometimes, repairs may just be limited some shingles curling or perhaps needing to replace flashings to help keep water from leaking through into the attic.

4.) Poor Ventilation in the attic and crawlspace – There are a number of issues that can contribute to a lack of enough air flow. Years ago, it was an acceptable practice to vent bathrooms into the attic but not in today's standards as you can imagine this is a recipe for growing mold.

Crawl space ventilation is also important  because moisture gets trapped here with no way of escaping. Make sure the crawl space vents are free of debris.

5.) Chimney and Fireplaces – Here in Southern Idaho, wood burning and gas fireplaces are popular. It is normal to see wear and tear at the very top portion of the chimney like missing mortar or chimney caps. Within the fireplace itself, cracked chimney tiles from frequent use may come up. The inspector will look at both of these to be sure they’re in working order. It is also smart to have the chimney cleaned and inspected at least yearly depending on how much it is used.

6.) Plumbing – The most common plumbing issues are small leaks around toilets and sinks. This can be the result of age but also poor installation. The main issue with even a small leak is that over time it can saturate the subfloor causing it to rot. Water leaks can also wreak havoc in the crawl space, causing damage to trusses and as noted earlier, mold.

7.) Electrical – Older homes may have dated electrical wiring, like knob and tube or a fuse box, unless its been fully renovated.  Another common issue is unpermitted electrical outlets and switches.

8.) HVAC – Heater and air conditioning units are notorious for having no recent records of the system being serviced. Dirty air filters and dirt vent exchanges makes the furnace work harder to get the job done.

9.) Peeling paint – While visually unappealing, the purpose of paint is to make a house look great; and it also protects what’s underneath which is usually wood. Exposed wood over time can become a sponge and absorb moisture which will then cause swelling. Once moisture exits the wood becomes brittle. Areas underneath the soffits and close to the ground where water hits then splashes on the surface is more prone to having water damage.

10.) Room Additions – Be on the look out in older homes in added spaces for sagging floors, and look at the foundation appearance from the outside. If any electrical is present, the inspector should look those over to ensure they are functioning properly. If it appears as though the addition was somewhat recent, ask to see the permit.

There are all kinds of home inspectors out there. Some seem to think there job is to identify everything that is wrong with the home. Others take a more consultative approach and help everyone understand what is normal wear and tear on the house and what area may require further attention. The buyer want assurance that the home is sound and is not going to require fixing upoin moving in. If there are red flags, they shoudl be prioritized and categorized. This is part of the home buying process and continued negotations of meeting at the closing table.