The following is a reproduction of an article that appeared in the June 23, 2006 Detroit News. There are some decent tips here. Enjoy!
What to look for in inspections
Lynne Schreiber / Special to The Detroit News
In her book, "100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask," author Ilyce R. Glink advises home buyers of the most common potential problems they could come across when undergoing an inspection of a home they want to buy. Here are a few to watch for:
Wet, clammy, sticky, smelly basements. Any of these characteristics in a basement could be an indication of water seepage caused by improperly graded soil or a shaky foundation.
Cracks in the basement. A crack line that you can see could mean more-than-normal settling, Glink writes. Or, it could mean the house was built on a former landfill, hill or improperly graded site.
Discolored spots on walls and ceilings. Discoloration could mean a water problem like a leaky roof, walls or pipes. And, sometimes a new paint job is more than just a way to impress potential buyers, Glink says. It could be an effort to cover up a problem.
Sloppy masonry work . If the homeowner has tried to patch up masonry without a professional, that could point to a bigger problem, Glink says.
Insulation . Always ask, and then investigate, as to whether the house has adequate insulation. If not, you'll either need to add the cost of adding insulation to your purchase costs or figure higher heating and cooling bills.
Improperly fitted skylights. Discoloration, peeling paint and other signs indicate that skylights were improperly fitted or may be leaking.
What to look for in inspections
Lynne Schreiber / Special to The Detroit News
In her book, "100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask," author Ilyce R. Glink advises home buyers of the most common potential problems they could come across when undergoing an inspection of a home they want to buy. Here are a few to watch for:
Wet, clammy, sticky, smelly basements. Any of these characteristics in a basement could be an indication of water seepage caused by improperly graded soil or a shaky foundation.
Cracks in the basement. A crack line that you can see could mean more-than-normal settling, Glink writes. Or, it could mean the house was built on a former landfill, hill or improperly graded site.
Discolored spots on walls and ceilings. Discoloration could mean a water problem like a leaky roof, walls or pipes. And, sometimes a new paint job is more than just a way to impress potential buyers, Glink says. It could be an effort to cover up a problem.
Sloppy masonry work . If the homeowner has tried to patch up masonry without a professional, that could point to a bigger problem, Glink says.
Insulation . Always ask, and then investigate, as to whether the house has adequate insulation. If not, you'll either need to add the cost of adding insulation to your purchase costs or figure higher heating and cooling bills.
Improperly fitted skylights. Discoloration, peeling paint and other signs indicate that skylights were improperly fitted or may be leaking.
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