Home Inspection Lessons in Not So Pretty Home Photos
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at 11:34 pm 
By admin
I know what you’re thinking… “Is that a load-bearing dog??” Well, it’s probably better than a load-bearing poster…
It’s always fun to peruse beautiful photos of amazing homes, but what about the other side of the spectrum? The This Old House website has multiple photo galleries dedicated to Home Inspection Nightmares. These photos demonstrate what a creative person with blatant disregard for health & safety can accomplish. It’s amazing.
Check out the Home Inspection Nightmare Galleries, and remember them the next time you purchase a home. A buyer must make the most of the option period to learn about any hidden defects in the property, and devise a plan for repairs or concessions from the seller.
A few tips on home inspections:
- Find a qualified inspector who takes lots of photos - personal recommendations are great, or you can find one yourself - HUD List of Questions to Ask your Home Inspector
- Schedule the inspection as soon as is feasible. The home inspector may find issues that require a follow-up inspection or estimate from a contractor.
- Don’t get too attached to the home before the inspection. Yes, you have a great home under contract, but if a major problem is discovered, and the seller won’t budge, then you have to be prepared to walk away.
- Be present when the inspector visits the home. Inspection reports are very terse. Being on-site will allow the inspector to explain the issues they find, and give you a better idea of how serious they are. I always learn new things when shadowing an inspector.
- If you have any questions about the foundation of an older home call a local foundation repair company. Usually they have repaired foundations in the neighborhood and can offer insight into the soil conditions and the likelihood of repairs. If there are cracks in the walls or floors you can also ask for a repair estimate.
- Here in Texas it’s a good idea to also have the inspector check for ‘wood destroying insects’ (termites, carpenter ants, etc.). Repairing termite damage can be very costly.
- Don’t Panic. Even these “Nightmare” photos can be fixed (some more expensively than others). Just be sure to get an estimate from a contractor and use this as part of your negotiations in the purchase of the home.
Buyers rarely find problems as ridiculous as those in the ‘This Old House’ Home Inspection Nightmare Galleries, however even brand new homes often have a few items that can be fixed/improved. Make the most of the option period and gather as much information as possible.
Add your home inspection tips in the comments section below.
For those curious about ‘load bearing posters’:
