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Home inspections uncover defects that can pose physical and financial risks to buyers. Although some inspection errors are the fault of the inspector, buyers also have responsibilities as far as the inspection is concerned.
Here are 10 home inspection mistakes that can be dangerous and costly for home buyers.
Also see the seven most expensive mistakes new homeowners make in their first year.
inspector errors
Even experienced inspectors can make mistakes.
ignore template
Mold can be easy to overlook, said Cindy Raney, global luxury property expert and founder Cindy Raney and teamWhich operates under Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Properties in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Although home inspectors are not responsible for testing for mold, an experienced person should know when to recommend environmental testing.
Not recognizing asbestos
Asbestos present in insulation, floor tiles, textured roofing and siding can be fatal if ingested. Like the template, the inspector’s job is to know when further investigation is necessary.
Ignoring Radon
Carcinogenic radon gas can seep into a home from the ground. The investigation is outside the scope of a standard home inspection. But failure to recommend testing for potentially vulnerable households is a serious mistake.
missing water infiltration
Homes with moisture problems almost always have signs, Raney said. If they are missed during inspection and infiltration is not noticed, dangerous mold can result.
Not recognizing structural movement
“Missing early indicators of foundation problems can leave a buyer facing underpinning or structural reinforcement that quickly becomes a major expense,” Raney said.
Indicators include cracks in stairs and bowing foundation walls.
Scanning of underground water tanks is not being done.
An oil-heated home may have an underground storage tank that can cause big problems if the inspector misses the point that a scan or sweep is in order.
“If an abandoned tank is buried on the property and leaking, the treatment could easily reach six figures,” Raney said.
buyer errors
Avoiding these mistakes can save you thousands of dollars in repairs after closing.
Failing to check permit upon renewal
Building permits help ensure that repairs and renovations are completed safely and up to code.
“Not checking to see if something was done without a permit could be a catastrophic mistake for a buyer,” said Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker of The New York Stock Exchange. eco fine properties In Delray Beach, Florida. “Some inspectors do this and some don’t.”
failure to attend inspection
Lichtenstein said that while buyers receive lengthy inspection reports, “it is important that they understand what is actually going on, as paper can lead to misunderstandings.” If you can’t attend in person, follow up with your agent via video call.
Appointing an inspector for repairs
Lichtenstein said, “Never let an inspector do remediation work, or don’t use them if they offer them. It happens and it shocks me.”
According to, this is not only a serious ethical violation American Society of Home InspectorsBut it is also illegal in many states.
skip inspection altogether
Skipping the inspection is the most dangerous and potentially most expensive mistake of all – like buying a multi-million dollar car without even starting it and looking under the hood.