When buying a new home, you want to be smart about your choice. Purchasing a home is a major, expensive investment. One of the things you must do when considering a house for purchase is look for any serious property damage. By inspecting for damage, you get a better idea of the house’s true value, what the appropriate offer is you should make, and whether the home is worth it for you given the presence and extent of any damage.

Damage will likely to be found during the inspection process, but there are particular kinds of damage that you want to keep an eye out for.

Roofing Damage

It’s important to know know the age and condition of the roof.

You need to know the age and condition of the roof, as the roof can severely affect a home’s interior and exterior. The realtor you’re working with should be able to give you this information.

In terms of things to look for, watch for missing or damaged shingles. Any concerns you have about the roof and its condition should be brought up to your realtor, who can then let the homeowner know when it comes to negotiate the offer.

Foundation

As the base structure of a home, it is imperative that the foundation is in good condition. When inspecting a house, go outside to check the foundation’s exterior, and look for cracking or other damage. Inspect the basement and crawlspace, too, to see if the foundation is damaged from the inside.

Water Damage

Water stains everywhere in your home, are indicators of water damage.

Water stains on a home’s ceilings and walls, and beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks, are indicators of water damage. In the event of water damage, mold growth is also likely, which can cause health concerns and further damage. Knowing this, it’s especially important to identify any water damage in a home you’re considering.

In the basement, check for a sump pump, which could indicate that the house has had water problems like flooding. Even if these problems happened in the past, they’re still good to know about.

The inspection report can provide more information about the house’s water damage.

HVAC System

You’ll want to make sure the HVAC system is in good condition and works well, because you don’t want to end up living in a home where you can’t warm or cool the area as needed. When looking at the home, ask for the system’s age. Operate it to check that it works and listen to how the system runs. It’s also helpful to check if the filters fit well and if there’s any rust or dirt in the system. You can find out more details about the HVAC system in the inspection report.

If after doing your own inspection you believe it’s necessary to replace the HVAC system, then you can potentially get the house’s selling price reduced by the homeowner based on the replacement cost.

Windows

Windows can provide fresh air inside your home, keep your home warm, and keep cold air out. They also improve a home’s energy efficiency, so it’s important that they work correctly and are in good condition. If after inspecting the windows, you feel they’re not in good condition, then ask the homeowner for the repairs to be made by a handyman.

Electrical Outlets

Test the electrical outlets in the home to make sure they work properly. Otherwise, you could end up purchasing a home with faulty outlets which is a major fire hazard. In the kitchens and bathrooms, check for grounded Ground Fault Circuit Interpreter (GFCI outlets). These outlets have a reset button and prevent accidental electric shocks, which are more prone to happen in areas with moisture.

Appliances

Check the appliances are in good condition.

Don’t let the shiny good looks of any appliances deceive you into thinking they work correctly. You need to check that they not only work but are also in good condition. So test the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and other appliances in the home to make sure they work.

By watching out for these types of damage, you’re able to make a smart investment when buying a home. If you find that a home you’re interested in or a home you’ve purchased has foundation damage, water damage, or another kind of property damage, then it is important to have that addressed before it worsens and causes more issues.

Water damage, in particular, must be taken care of because it can lead to mold growth and structural damage. Seek help from a professional restoration service provider to ensure any water problems get solved in an effective, efficient manner. Water damage restoration professionals can locate and remove excess water and moisture, repair the source of the moisture, and restore the damaged areas.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.