Education and Inspection: The Keys to Home Buying

House sales are poised to rise exponentially in ten years, with low prices and the emergence of first-time home buyers helping the market in Chicago and in other states surge like it hasn’t done in decades. The tax credit of $8,000 – a stimulus package available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence – also encourages purchasing.

As the market continues to rise, and new buyers continue to invest, there is an increasing need to emphasize buyer education. Says Kathleen Kuhn, President of HouseMaster, Chicagoland’s leading home inspection company and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in the whole of North America: “More and more people are being encouraged to invest in homes these days, thanks to new provisions, and that’s why it’s become even more important to identify red flag issues that pose major and minor problems with a home.”

Adds Kuhn: “Buying a house can be a very stressful process, and that’s why here at HouseMaster we focus on providing buyers with the tools and the knowledge to ensure that they will make the best decision and real estate investment possible.”

Kuhn’s company offers home buyers with a list of red flags through professional home inspections and comprehensive online home inspection reports. In Chicagoland (Chicago Metropolitan Area) alone, the company has served over 38,000 clients, allowing them to expedite – and simplify – the home selection process by identifying and reducing the risks of buying a home with potentially costly defects.

To help buyers take on a more discerning approach in navigating the housing market, Kuhn identifies a few warning signs, each of which may indicate looming bigger problems.

Extension cords. “Today’s electrical needs and systems have grown and become a lot more sophisticated,” says Kuhn. “If a buyer sees a lot of extension cords in a house, it may be a sign that the electrical system is out of date – and could require a major upgrade.” Professional home inspectors can assess what can be done to meet today’s demands, and what needs to be installed in order to increase safety and reduce the need for a number of usually unsightly extension cords.

Cracks. Kuhn warns buyers to be on the lookout for foundation cracks. “Vertical cracks are normal in the sense that they sometimes cannot be helped within certain settlement tolerances.” Horizontal cracks, however, pose an altogether different risk, and may point to possibly problematic hydrostatic pressure against the foundation of the house. Home inspectors and structural engineers can be consulted to determine what corrections and safety measures need to be made.

Gurgling or low water pressure. Low water pressure – sometimes accompanied by that ‘gurgling’ sound from the faucet – can be a sign of old or inadequate piping. It may or may not require an entirely new plumbing system, but that depends on what the home inspectors say. Says Kuhn: “They’ll be the ones who can indicate the kind of piping used, how old it is, and what can be done to correct the problem.”

Basement smell. A “musty” smell, in particular – which, according to Kuhn, can indicate water in the basement, as can storage boxes that have been raised off the floor. Home inspectors can be called in to assess other potential causes, as well as determine ways in which the property grading or the draining systems of the house can be improved.

Stains. Stains on the walls or the ceiling can indicate hidden damages and defects in the structures of the house. Says Kuhn: “Usually the home inspectors can test these wall and ceiling stains by using a moisture meter. That way, they can determine if these stains are still active – and if they ‘re warning signs of a more major damage or defect.”

Unused or vacant homes. Foreclosed properties usually bring in great selling prices, but buyers beware: they may not have received the attention and maintenance needed to keep a home safe and steady. Before making any final decision, check for mold, moisture problems, ventilation problems, freezing pipes, and other signs of deterioration.

Make educated real estate decisions. For more information on home maintenance, home inspections, and home buying, please visit HouseMaster.com.

Keep Reading and Check out these Articles:

1. Buying a House? Get a Professional Home Inspection
2. Buying a House? Weed Out Potential Trouble with Professional Home Inspections
3. Home Inspections: Why Good Things Come to Those Who Don’t Always Wait
4. Buying a Home? Here's How You Educate Yourself
5. Inspecting the Home Inspector