Inspection Findings That Should Alarm You

When you purchase a home, you have the right to have the property professionally inspected. Any inspection can reveal issues, but what matters is whether a problem is fixable, what that might cost, and whether you or the seller will pay for it

Here are a few items that should alarm you:

A seller’s disclosure with no useful information: Sellers should let you know if they’ve fixed leaks, replaced roof tiles or had a sewer line replaced. If the home is older, you need to know if asbestos or lead paint has been removed.

A damp, musty odor in the bathroom: You can’t go behind walls or under floorboards, but your nose can tell you there’s a problem. If the bathroom looks clean and smells dank, there could be a hidden leak.

Systems at the end of their lifespan: If the roof is 15 to 20 years old, you’ll have to replace it in a few short years.

Signs of bad DIY work: DIY homeowners can cut corners, ignore code violations and use the wrong materials.