Ten Possible Problem Areas to Spot During an Open House - Home Inspection Tips

A home inspection is always advisable, but you can learn to spot major shortcomings in a home before deciding to place an offer.   

Touring a home or going to an open house is an exciting process. However, as you walk through the home and envision your family living there, don’t forget to look at the bigger picture. Has the home been maintained or are there hidden issues that will quickly drain your bank account and keep you up at night? 

Home inspections take place after your offer has been accepted by the seller. Which means you’re deciding what price to offer before knowing what issues a home inspection will uncover.  

When placing an offer on a home, it’s smart to take needed repairs into consideration before presenting your best bid to a seller. Of course, you’ll make your offer contingent on the results of a home inspection. But you can spot many problem areas before you write up your contract of sale.   

Home repairs aren’t the only thing you will want to consider. Take a look around the community and the neighborhood. Not only will the surrounding area affect your lifestyle but your resale value as well.  

Here are ten areas you don’t want to overlook when touring your next open house.  

Roof: Evaluating the exact age of a roof may require a roof inspector, but there are obvious signs that a roof needs repair or replacement. Missing, damaged or curling shingles can indicate areas where moisture may be penetrating the roof. Moss or algae on the roof is a sign that the roof is not draining into gutters properly. You may see sagging areas or dark stains where water is pooled. Flashing, which is a material used to seal areas vulnerable to leaks around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and dormers, may be cracked, rusted, or separated indicating possible leaks. These are all signs the roof is old and may need replacement.  

House Smell: When you walk through the front door, one of the first things you will notice is the smell. Certain smells can be warning signs of hidden issues. Do you smell furnace fuel or oil? It could be a sign of a leak in an oil burning furnace. Do you smell pet urine? Check the floors for staining, as this is a very difficult smell to remove. Perhaps there is an overwhelming potpourri smell which may signal the owners are trying to cover the smell from a musty basement. 

Electrical Panel: Not many potential home buyers think to look at the home’s electrical panel. Electrical panels can often be found in basements or garages. Open the panel door to see the circuit breakers. If the house is over one hundred years old and has not been upgraded, you may see round knobs called knob and tube wiring. Most insurance companies refuse to cover homes with this antiquated system as it cannot handle today’s electric demands. The home will need to be rewired. 

Homes that have aluminum wiring are another concern. This type of electrical wiring has been found to be a fire hazard. The best evidence that a home has this type of wiring is if it was built in the mid 1960’s and early 70’s. You might also see the word aluminum printed on the electrical cables coming out of the panel. A specialty electrical inspection should be done during the home inspection process if you suspect outdated wiring.  

Windows: Modern windows are double paned and filled with argon gas, When the seal of the window is broken, the window will look cloudy and dirty or may show condensation. This cloudiness is between the panes of glass and cannot be wiped away. You’ll want to open the blinds and evaluate whether any of the window seals are broken. It’s a very common issue and can be costly to repair.  

Heating and Air System: Many homes have inefficient heating and air systems that do a poor job maintaining temperatures resulting in very high energy bills. If the home has one thermostat, then there is only one system for the entire home. If the home has two levels, this can lead to uneven heating often resulting in hot upstairs rooms. Even newer homes can have ineffective HVAC systems. Many have too few return vents, which are the larger air vents found in homes with forced air systems. An effective system will have supply and return vents in each bedroom to help circulate the air. A lack of return vents will decrease the system’s ability to keep rooms cool.  

Foundation: When looking at the foundation area, notice if the soil slops toward or away from the house. Rainwater should always be directed away from the home’s foundation, not toward it. If the grades are coming toward the foundation, or you see that the neighbor’s property is at a higher elevation, rainwater flow could be causing problems. Improper drainage and grading can lead to wet basements and mold issues, as well as damage to patios and lawns.  

Landscape: If there are large trees growing close to the house, they may need to be removed or trimmed. Not only is it dangerous to have large tree branches fall on the home, but tree roots growing near septic systems can cause major damage to septic pipes. Another major expense is the driveway. You’ll want to note if it is crumbling or cracked and needs repaving.  

Community: As you drive through the community, note any traffic congestion. Is the home on a quiet cul-de-sac or a heavily traveled street? Remember to listen to the noise level from nearby highways. Check to see if the home is located near a firehouse or a train track. It’s good practice to visit the home during the nighttime to evaluate light pollution from nearby buildings or even the neighbor’s floodlights.  

Neighbors: You’ll not only want to evaluate the community around the home but the next-door neighbors as well. How well do they keep their property? Are there barking dogs in the yard? Do they do mechanical work on cars in the driveway? You may even want to speak to the neighbors if you happen to see them outside. Many times, neighbors can be a wealth of information about the neighborhood and the history of the house that you are considering buying.  

Curb Appeal: Pay attention to your first impressions when you see the house. Are you pleasantly surprised when you first pull up to the home, or does it look worse than its pictures? Online pictures can sometimes inaccurately portray the true nature of the house, making it look fresher and brighter. Don’t ignore the first emotions that you feel upon seeing the home. They are an important indicator of what you think of the home and whether it will work for you. 

If you want to learn more about how to buy a home, check out Todd’s Simple Home Buying Course where you’ll find insider tips and solid advice from an experienced real estate broker and contractor. 

This indispensable guide will lead you through the entire home buying process. From how to find a good house to buy, to negotiating seller repairs, Todd’s Simple Home Buying Course walks you through the many parts of buying a home. Plus, you’ll find helpful worksheets and printouts for your personal use.   

Education is key to making smart decisions when buying a home. Whether you have a REALTOR or you want learn how to buy a house without a REALTOR, you’ll benefit from the invaluable information in this up-to-date homebuying course. Order yours today!