11 Things That Will (Almost) ALWAYS Fail in an Inspection! - And How to Fix Them.

Homeownership brings joy, but it also brings responsibilities, especially when it comes to the structural health of your abode. Let's delve into common issues flagged by home inspectors and potential fixes to keep your castle in top shape.

Roofing Roulette:

• Inspector Insight: Watch out for missing shingles and signs of aging. If your roof is over 20 years old then the inspection report will likely point out flaws with flashing, missing shingles, fascia, etc. The cost to replace a roof can range from $6,000-$25,000.
• Potential Fix: An inspection by licensed roofers that makes the necessary repairs will extend the life of the roof slightly and also avoid the issue of debating whether the roof needs to be replaced.

Foundation Follies:

• Inspector Insight: Sticky doors and cracks can signal foundation trouble. There are some issues that may need to be addressed and others that are simply unimportant, ie. paint cracks from age.
• Potential Fix: Consulting a structural engineer for a repair plan is perhaps best done before you sell the property because a fix is usually a lot cheaper than what the buyers will ask for in credit amount. If the issues are small and can be fixed with new coat of paint, then it's best to pick a neutral color and freshen the house up. Most paint starts to crack after 10 years or so, and while many buyers are aware of this, many are also oblivious of this and may not submit an offer just because of unfounded fears.

Pesky Pests:

• Inspector Insight: Unwanted guests like termites and mice can wreak havoc. No one wants to buy a home to deal with these after the fact.
• Potential Fix: Proactive pest control measures with regular inspections are usually recommended especially in areas where the termites are more prevalent.

Low Water Pressure:

• Inspector Insight: Low water pressure woes may hide plumbing problems. An inspector will turn on just about every plumbing fixture one by one to check the water pressure.
• Potential Fix: Hire a plumbing pro to diagnose and resolve the issue. In most cases, the fix can be as simple as dialing up the pressure at the origin point (usually in the basement where you can turn off the water).

Window Woes:

• Inspector Insight: Damaged windows impact energy conservation and can worry the buyers about the neighborhood safety. The broken windows theory is something that most people are aware about.
• Potential Fix: Replace the windows as soon as they have issues so that you don't get a water leak from rain or more broken windows.

Electrical Issues:

• Inspector Insight: Electrical system issues can range from ungrounded receptacles to malfunctioning outlets. The inspector will check to ensure that GFCI outlets are functioning and in the correct locations. Many homes do have at least 1 small issue with being up to code on this front.
• Potential Fix: Fixing the issue ahead of time is quite inexpensive and is one more reason why doing a pre-listing inspection makes sense if you're considering selling the property.

Drainage Drama:

• Inspector Insight: Problems with the surface grading around your home could cause drainage issues and even foundation damage over time. Additionally, surface grading problems can cause basement leaks, leading to mildew and mold. Ideally, your lawn should have a 3% slope away from your home. If not, your inspector will disclose it.
• Potential Fix: Topsoil adjustments for proper slope, gutter checks, and professional cleaning can rectify these issues.

HVAC Headache:

• Inspector Insight: Aging furnaces signal potential trouble. If you haven't been servicing your heating system once a year, then you could be walking into an inspection report that points out this $8,000-$10,000 issue and cause a massive headache for the potential buyers. Your system can last up 15 years (and potentially longer), but can only do so with proper care.
• Potential Fix: Regular HVAC maintenance is key here. Even if your system is broken or seems to be working sub-optimally, a simple part replacement can make this issue go away and is much more cost effective if done before the official buyer's inspection.

Code Conundrums:

• Inspector Insight: Verify renovations comply with building codes. If you are in a highly populated area, things like Certificate of Occupancy (CO) can come into play and cause issues with the sale. It's easier to get a cost effective fix if you have time to plan for it, rather then trying to get a fix before the settlement is planned.
• Potential Fix: Getting the city inspector review and completing the necessary repairs for code adherence can be done as soon as you're planning to sell the property and is usually valid up to a year after the inspection.

Malfunctioning Safety Features

• Inspector Insight: We often see malfunctioning carbon monoxide, door locks, and smoke detectors on the inspection reports. Getting these issues resolved early is both in your own interest for safety, but also to help avoid re-negotiations during the inspections conducted during the sale of the property.
• Potential Fix: Professional examination for harmful materials and remediation planning if necessary.

Harmful Building Materials

• Inspector Insight: Harmful materials like asbestos and lead may be present in the property. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint, while homes built before 1981 will likely have asbestos in the insulation, vinyl flooring or spray on surfaces. This is yet another reason why getting an inspection (even if you are not selling) is a good idea so that you can rectify these issues.
• Potential Fix: Professional examination for harmful materials and remediation planning if necessary.

Owning a home is a journey—navigate it wisely, addressing issues promptly to ensure your castle stands strong against the tests of time.

Disclaimer: The article is not all exhaustive and there may be other issues and solutions available to you. The article is meant to be a strong start point for a homeowner, but cannot possibly address every possible issue as that would call for an entire book's worth of material.