Every homebuyer is different, so an inspector never knows what to expect when meeting a client.
Some people are super detail-oriented and want to know every measurement and wattage, and then want to take that inspection report and negotiate every single item down to the tiniest scratch and light bulb. Most Realtors would say, “Don’t sink a $500K deal over a $500 repair.”
Some people focus on the big-picture, big-ticket, or long-term issues only. Others are so overwhelmed by the process of buying a home, the inspection just flies right past them.
The truth is, no one way is right or wrong, and you are who you are. But one thing is true for everyone — money matters. So when I was collecting some images and videos from the inspectors this week, I found a common theme — this week’s problems would, sadly, all be really big-ticket items that would be expensive to repair.
Should the walls be doing that?
Foundation movement can cause some strange things to occur in the structure of a house. Check out this video. It’s an interesting example of foundation movement, and while it speaks to the craftsmanship of the home, it’s going to be an expensive and time-consuming repair for either the buyer or the seller to take on.
Pool Inspection
Pools are in high demand in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, especially after this beastly summer, but they are expensive to maintain, and even more expensive to repair.
In this video, inspector Luis takes you through a pool inspection, pointing out several issues, from decking that needs to be replaced, to cracks in the pool surface, to missing tile, pressure issues, and more.
If the pool surface is cracking due to foundation movement, it may need to have support staples put in, which is a few thousand dollars on top of the resurfacing itself. Then you have the cost of replacing the deck. Not to mention the day-to-day costs of the chemicals and maintenance. Pools are fun, but they are expensive and labor intensive. And people wonder why anyone would want to try Swimply …
(Written like a very jaded pool owner who just resurfaced her pool and replaced the pool equipment. 💰💰💰)
Blocked Air Duct
Here’s one of those “that’s a first” moments. You’ll have to watch the video, but the buyer had noticed the room that this air duct feeds wasn’t cooling properly. You’ll see why.
Only a major water event could have caused this — some type of flooding in the house which had vents in the floor above the crawl space. Crazy. This is a great reminder of the importance of regular air duct cleaning to prevent blockages, improve air quality, and ensure your HVAC system works efficiently.
The moral of the story is that — big or small — all houses have problems, and the best solution is to know about them so you can have a plan to fix them when, and how, you can afford to.
You don’t have to wait to buy a home to have it inspected. You can have a Home Maintenance Inspection anytime to find out about all the things that need fixing around your house.
