Frightening Home Inspection Findings!
Don’t be a victim of shocking discoveries found on inspection day. This is especially important now with South Carolina’s strict Due Diligence contract. If a buyer feels that what has been found in your home is too scary for them, they can simply walk away. It is a great idea to have your home inspected and prepared prior to listing. That way, if you have any bats in the attic or pipes wrapped with Duct Tape (from the previous owner, of course), you can correct any of these issues ahead of time. This proactive step could save you time during the escrow process and time is money. You don’t want to lose your buyer over something silly (or BIG) because then you’re back to the drawing board and looking for a new buyer. Now that could be scary!
Many of us love a good spooky Charleston ghost story, but you might be surprised by some of the scary “fixes” that home inspections uncover. Here are some all-too-common issues that could send your buyers running! Take a peek at these TOP 5 easily avoided surprises.
#1 INSPECT YOUR CRAWL SPACE
Some of the most beautiful looking homes above ground have some interesting support underground. In most cases foundation settling or moving due to earthquakes (common downtown) doesn’t make a home bad or unsafe to live in or to purchase. Whether you’re selling or buying, just do your due diligence and have a professional give you advice. If there is a recommended repair, do it… and in this case (photo above), please have it done by a professional!
#2 ADDRESS MOISTURE ISSUES
We live in “the Lowcountry” and, yes, we often have moisture under our homes. Allow your home inspector to determine where the moisture is coming from, whether it’s the ground, an active leak or a past leak. If your crawl space has any mold or mildew growth, treat the fungus and the issue that caused it...or it WILL come back to haunt you!
#3 REPLACE OLD BREAKER PANELS
Why do we replace old breaker panels? Many people love the character an older home offers. With that character comes years of handywork and usually a variety of improvements, updates and additions to the home. Just because those updates seem to all be working on the inside of your home, don’t neglect the importance of updating your electrical panel. WHY? 1. Breakers eventually wear out. They can stick closed and cause heat, melting, and potentially fire. 2. Old panels don't have new safety features like a single main breaker, and arc-fault breakers. 3. Often they are overloaded (too many circuits) OR they're undersized for modern demands. 4. Frequently they have been the victim of homeowners and handymen who have made unsafe wiring modifications. @call2inspect
#4 PERIODICALLY CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY
Woodburning or not, you certainly don’t want any type of infestation in your chimney! Keep in mind that creatures like bats hunt for a cool, dark place to live and if they make your chimney their home, they might just surprise you one day with an unannounced visit into your home. Unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience. Fortunately, I did live to tell the story! 😊
#5 MAINTIAN & CLEAN HOME VENTILATION
Change your HVAC filters quarterly and vacuum your vents. Particularly, if you live in an older home, keeping your ductwork free and clear of dust particles will help you maintain better health too! While you won’t typically be expected to clean your ducts before selling your home, you might just want to have it done for good measure and for your own well-being.
