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Question
My husband and I are going to be buying my mom's home from her. There are a few things that she is worried about when they come to inspect the home and I'm not sure if these things are really a big deal. The house was built in 1992. There is a pin needle size crack in the basement and when it rains very hard or there are hard winds there has been water in the basement, this has only happened twice in 10 years. Also, on the front steps there is a small gap between the two steps. Also, the house just got brand new siding on it (due to hail damage) and so the railing on the front steps was taken off. Since I am buying the home I decided to get new railing in the future so I just wanted to leave it off. Do you think these things will cause a problem in the home inspection? Thank you in advance for your help!
Regarding your questions... Moisture is a big concern, as it can be conducive to mold, decay, wood destroying insects and electrical defects in some cases. You must stop the source of moisture in order to avoid the possible defects than can develop.
Cracks and gaps in the building structure need to be examined by a qualified professional in order to determine if they are significant or not. It is difficult to make a comment on structural movement without actually looking at the entire area that may be affected by that movement.
As far as railings go, they are a real safety issue in the day you start to fall and you do not have them to keep you from falling. Most people do not realize that stairs are one of most common locations of hazards in the home. More people are injured by falling down stairs than you would expect.
Every buyer is different and each item or defect means different things to different people.
Hope this helps,
John McKenna, CMI
Certified Master Inspector
http://texas-inspection.com
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John McKenna, CMI
Expertise
I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"
Experience
Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
Education/Credentials
Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)
Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565)
See more info: http://texas-inspection.com
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