5 Things To Inspect When Buying a Resale Home

5 Things To Inspect When Buying a Resale Home
August 16, 2019Latest News

5 Things To Inspect When Buying a Resale Home

Taking a flashlight to a house viewing should be completely normal. Some realtors and home sellers have the nasty habit of lying and concealing damaged parts. Purchasing a house is one of the biggest and most important investments in your life.

Therefore, don’t be afraid to smell the floors, scratch that peeled off paint, flush toilets, and even take an expert by your side. Beware of falling in love with a certain room or being pushed by sellers to make a quick decision.

Instead, inspect the house at your own pace and on your own terms, giving attention to details that really matter! Here are the 5 things you must inspect when buying a resale home:

1. Roof & Attic

Having marble kitchen countertops won’t matter that much if your attic gets flooded during rainstorms. Have in mind that attic renovations cost much more than adding a natural stone in your kitchen. The roof is crucial for your home’s health. Here is what to expect if it’s damaged:

  • Leaks and cracks
  • Mold growth
  • Sags and collapses
  • Unbalanced temperatures
  • Rot and damaged furniture
  • Infections and allergies

Some people contact Toronto professional and commercial roofing companies to get a free quote of their new house. In the meantime, look out for rotten attic joists, damaged shingles, and soffit, detached gutters, mold growth, unpleasant smells, cracks, and leaks.

2. Water Damage

Water damage not only occurs because of poor and damaged roofing. Basement waterproofing, backyard drainage, windows, doors, and quality of gutters can significantly impact the condition of a house. During viewing day, sellers may try to conceal water damage. That is why you should not be afraid of asking for warranties and dates of recent repairs. Here are some usual signs of water damage:

  • Unpleasant smells
  • Stained or bubbly walls
  • Uneven and soft flooring
  • Mold growth in corners
  • Interior window condensation
  • Cracked or rotten wood

3. Freshly Painted Walls

Some realtors use clever techniques for hiding damages. Walking into a home that stinks of a strong perfume isn’t only a sign that the realtor has poor taste. It might be a clever method for concealing unpleasant odors coming from toilets and attics.

Another thing that should concern you is freshly painted walls or floors. The sellers might have wanted to freshen things up a bit, but they might have also wanted to hide wall spots, rotten wood, and cracks. There have been cases where realtors even spray paint hedges just to increase curb appeal.

4. Structural Issues

Foundation and structural damage should be your biggest concerns. The money you spend on purchasing a house will definitely shake your pockets. If you choose a house with structural issues, you might have to proclaim bankruptcy.

Replacing a saggy roof and pulling up basement floors are very expensive projects. To save up on some money and worries, check whether a resale home is slowly collapsing by doing professional inspections before you purchase. Look out for zigzag cracks on exterior walls, uneven flooring, and loose windows. These can be signs for foundation damage.

5. Basement

We mentioned how a roof is crucial for a home. Well, another thing of equal importance is the basement. Even though most people use basements as storage units, these rooms determine the functionality and overall quality of a house.

Improper basement waterproofing, poor backyard drainage, cracked concrete, and leaks from water appliances are signs that you should skip the house you are viewing. The costly repairs, frequent floods, and sewage contaminations are definitely not worth your investment!

You can check the basement quality with camera sewer inspections. For only $100, you will avoid extremely difficult and costly scenarios.

Available Roofing

Available Roofing is your industrial and commercial roofing company in Oakville. With over 14 years of experience in Commercial & Residential Roofing, we are proud and dedicated to offering the highest level of quality and service.

Share: