As a home buyer, you probably want to have your potential new dream home inspected by a professional home inspector. Here are a few items that inspectors consistently come across:

 

1. Improper surface grading/drainage: This can result in water ingress in basement or crawl areas.

2. Improper electrical wiring: problems include insufficient electrical service to home, inadequate overload protection, dangerous (amateur) wiring.

3. Roof damage: Leakage caused by poor flashing and old or damaged roof material.

4. Heating systems: problems such as blocked chimneys, unsafe exhaust disposal and malfunctioning controls.

5. Poor overall maintenance: where to start? chipped, cracked and peeling painted surfaces, crumbling masonry and concrete, makeshift wiring and plumbing, broken fixtures and appliances.

6. Structural problems: damage to foundation walls, floor joists, roof trusses and window and door headers.

7. Plumbing: outdated or incompatible piping materials, faulty fixtures and wastelines.

8. Building exterior: flaws such as inadequate caulking or weather stripping on windows and doors can lead to water ingress and poor insulation.

9. Poor ventilation: modern homes are well sealed which can result in excessive interior moisture which in turn causes rot and premature failure of both structural  and non structural systems.

It's a good idea for buyers to take note of these items when they are in the early stages of home buying. Knowing what you're looking at in the first place can save time and headaches later.