Three Things to Look for in a Home Inspection Report

Congratulations, you’ve found the home for you! Once the seller accepts your offer and your Option Period starts, you'll need to order a home inspection. This report allows you to better understand any potential issues the house may have. You don't want to move into a new home only to discover issues that could cost you money or endanger your family.

With the home inspection covered, any real estate professional worth their salt will walk you through the findings. At Fine Point Homes, we take those findings and develop a strategy with our clients to see what issues the seller may be willing to cover. This ideally keeps major costs off your plate. Few things are worse than pulling from your savings and having to turn around to sink even more money into your newly purchased home! 

With that in mind, here are three things we focus on in a home inspection report. 

1. Electrical issues

Imagine you're cooking dinner the first night after moving in and the power shuts off. You call an electrician and find out your brand-new home is brimming with wiring issues. And it only gets worse when you look over the cost estimates. Electrical issues are among the most expensive repair costs for a home. Thankfully, you can use the inspection report to nip them in the bud early. 

When it comes to this section of the report, you’ll want to pay close attention to the details. Look for any notation about outlets that are hot to the touch. Buzzing sounds, vibration, warmth, or discoloration around outlets can be problematic too. These often indicate faulty wiring, poor connection or potential overheating. Flickering lights or excessive breaker tripping are also issues to look out for. These may mean a loose connection or overloaded circuits—the sorts of problems that could lead to a fire. 

We want to make sure you and your family are safe and sound, so we have great licensed electricians on hand to come out if needed and determine just how severe any electrical issues are.

2. Water leaks 

If you're like most people, when you see the phrase "water leaks" your heart drops. These can be an absolute pain to deal with. So what are some of the signs of a leak? An inspection report will detail things like wall discoloration, bubbling paint, warped flooring, and water stains. 

You may also come across inspection terminology that sounds foreign to you. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Most of this will be related to the methods inspectors use to locate leaks undetectable to the naked eye. Thermal imaging, for example, shows temperature differences caused by moisture. The moisture meter is pretty much what it sounds like; it measures moisture content. A water meter test determines whether water continues to run when switched off. 

They may sound confusing, but these tests are your friend. They'll tell you how likely you are to face any water-related problems. Mold and mildew, structural damage, and increased utility bills can all be the result of a nasty leak. If the damage is significant enough, you’ll need to consult with a water restoration company to factor in the repair cost. 

No one likes to deal with water leaks. But don't forget that the option period is your opportunity to identify these issues and face them head-on. At Fine Point Homes, we work with every one of our clients to negotiate seller concessions or repairs any time these kinds of issues come up. 

3. Foundation issues

Depending on where you live, foundation related issues can be extremely common. Texas, particularly the Dallas Fort Worth area, is a major offender. Most homes you see will have normal settlement, but if the integrity of the foundation is compromised, you may have cause for concern. 

When going through your report, look out for any mention of cracks in the foundation. Depending on their size and location, the effects could be disastrous or minimal. Things like erosion and soil compaction can lead to the foundation sinking. You may see this referred to as “settlement”. This could mean uneven floors and misalignment in the doors and windows. 

Additionally, moisture is among the leading causes of foundational problems because of its tendency to weaken the soil. This is what leads to cracks in the structure. Should you have any foundational concerns, have a licensed structural engineer perform a thorough inspection. They will be able to give you a reliable opinion on how to move forward and reassure you if your new home has normal settlement, or if there’s a cause for concern and needed repairs. 

Keep in mind that issues in inspection reports are common. It’s not unusual to see a long list of defects either, so don't panic if this happens to you. Thankfully, it's not always as bad of a sign as you might think. The important thing is to focus on the severity of each problem, because some concerns may be minimal enough to go away on their own. 

Before you pull the trigger on a new home, examine the inspection report thoroughly. When in doubt, enlist the help of professionals to make sure you're choosing a home you love and trust. 

Fine Point Homes believes in cutting through the confusion around your perfect home - whether that’s buying new or upgrading your existing house. We simplify the process and stay in touch during every aspect so that you always know what comes next. 

If you’re interested in setting up an interview with our real estate team, contact us here.