Top Home Inspection Problems In Cincinnati

I believe every buyer should have their new home inspected by a qualified home inspector before closing. Not only will a good home inspector be able to point out problems, but they should show you the things you should keep up to date such as caulking and cleaning.

In Cincinnati we have homes that are brand new and homes that are 100 years old. Every home, no matter the age, has problems. Even if your home is brand new, you should have it inspected. You would be amazed at what a good home inspector will find wrong in a brand new home.

When your home inspection is over the inspector should give you a detailed report (often this report is 5 to 50 pages long). Don’t freakout. Again, all homes have problems. Every home has things that need to be repaired. That is why Lowes and Home Deport stay in business.

Most inspectors will rate a home’s problems by severity or cost. Focus on the big ticket items. You can ask the home owner to fix the problems before closing or pay for the repairs. If the home seller agrees to fix the problems, ask for a receipt by a qualified contractor. Many home owners think they can make the repair themselves and many times they can. As the home buyer you want to make sure the job is done correctly though.

Here are the Top 7 Inspection problems we see on the home inspector’s final report:

1. Electrical and Wiring problems - The leading small problems include outlets that are not grounded, non-GFI outlets in the kitchen and bath, and open splices (two wires that have been spliced together but not placed inside a box). Larger problems include service upgrades, service panel upgrades and aluminum wiring problems.
2. Wet Basement - Most problems with water in the basement are actually problems with water outside of the basement. Gutters that are clogged, soil that flows to the home instead of away from the home, downspouts that pour water right down the foundation wall, etc. All of these problems will cause water in the basement. Most water problems can be solved first with keeping the water away from the basement then by a sump pump or french drain.
3. Termite or other Insect Damage - Last year was a really good year for termites (bad for our homes). Termites are a fact of life in Cincinnati. It does not matter where your home is located or how much it is worth, termites like the wood all the same. All homes should be treated on a scheduled basis. If there are active termites, ask for a treatment and have any damaged wood replaced.
4. Plumbing Problems - Older homes may have problems with an old cast iron stack or water pipes made from galvanized metal. Newer homes have copper or plastic water lines and PVC waste stacks. Small problems will include small leaks and pressure problems.
5. Roof Issues - Small problems include missing shingles and flashing problems. Larger issues will be a roof that needs to be replaced. A new roof can be expensive, so watch out for a roof that is “near the end of its useful life”
6. Brick or Masonry work - Over time the mortar between bricks needs to be repaired and older bricks need replaced.
7. Windows - A good inspector will check all the windows.  We see cracked windows, bad caulking, windows that don’t stay up (yes a inspector should open a window), leaking windows and insulated windows with a broken seal (the inside of the window looks foggy)

I can not stress enough “Get a home inspection from a certified home inspector”. I am not a qualified home inspector, I am a Real Estate Agent. Don’t rely on your agent to be your inspector. If you are selling your home, make sure the major items are repaired before listing your home. In this tough real estate market in Cincinnati and you could scare off a buyer when they see the problems you live with every day.

You can lean more about home inspectors and how to find a certified home inspector through the American Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.ashi.org/). Ohio does not require any education or certification before someone starts a home inspection business. So make sure your inspector is actually qualified to advise you on the largest purchase of your life!