Home prices are up 32.6 percent in 2021, with the median home price reaching $350,300. But this increase in price has done little to deter homebuyers, with homes flying off the market at a staggering rate. In fact, home buying power in the US has gone up by an impressive 21 percent this year.

But when you’re spending upwards of $350,000 on an asset, it’s only natural to be extremely keen. You want to be sure that you’re getting the best value for your money. A home inspection is thus a necessity.

Any home inspection red flags need to be treated with utter seriousness. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a house that needs numerous expensive repairs.

So, which major home inspection issues should you be on the lookout for? Read on to find out.

1. Structural Problems

Few home inspection report red flags are near as worrying as structural issues. The problems impact the integrity of the house and are a huge deal-breaker when you’re considering buying the property.

Some home sellers might not be aware that their house has structural problems when they’re selling it. Others simply choose not to disclose them. It’s the reason you need to hire an independent home inspection expert to detect these issues before it’s too late.

All inspection experts include any red flags on home inspection reports, but there are a few signs of structural issues you may be able to catch on your own, even before the home inspection report. Some of those signs include:

• The basement floor has large cracks
• There are bumps in the basement floor
• Door frames and windows seem misaligned
• The front steps or porch are misaligned

If you notice any of these signs, think twice before proceeding with the home purchase. That’s because structural issues are among the most expensive to repair. Some require entire replacements of the part affected.

2. Grading Problems

Issues with the slope or grade of the property surrounding your house can be a massive red flag too. The property’s grading has a big impact on how water drains during a storm or snowmelt.

If the surrounding property slopes towards the house, it’ll cause water to pool in or around the house. The result is that you’ll have to deal with water damage in your home.

Some common signs of grading problems include a surrounding yard that’s entirely flat, paddles or moist areas close to the house, and a property that clearly slopes towards the house.

3. Old Electrical Wiring

Given how essential electricity is in your home, any home inspection electrical issues should be taken very seriously. Wiring faults can make it hard to run your appliances. More than that, wiring problems are among the leading causes of home fires.

Issues with wiring can be difficult and expensive to fix. Thus, it’s in your best interest to halt the purchase process the moment it becomes clear that the home you’re looking at has major wiring issues.

Ask the seller when the home was built to get a good idea of how old the electrical wiring might be. Has the seller done any wiring updates in the recent past?

Some signs of potential wiring issues to look out for include flickering lights, outlets that aren’t grounded, exposed electrical wires, outlet faceplates that feel hot to the touch, failure of appliances to work.

4. Plumbing Issues

Faulty plumbing is among the common home inspection issues that you need to pay attention to. The issue may be caused by a variety of things, including the age of the plumbing and faulty installation.

Given that most pipes are hidden behind the home’s walls, it can be difficult to know how big the problem is. It also makes plumbing repairs quite expensive. That’s why you need to be wary of any potential plumbing issues when purchasing a home.

Some of the signs that a house has problematic plumbing include poor drainage throughout the home, low water pressure, stained walls and ceiling, wood rot around the sink or bathtub, discolored water, and faucets that continually sputter.

5. Pests

Keeping a home entirely pest-free is almost impossible, especially for homes in rural areas. But there’s a massive difference between seeing a bug or two occasionally and a full-blown infestation.

Ants, termites, mice, cockroaches, and other pests can cause untold damage to both your home and other items. If a home inspection reveals that the home you’re about to buy has had pest inspection issues, you need to be careful before proceeding with the deal. You want to be sure that the issue has properly and permanently been resolved before you commit to the purchase.

The good news is that you can always spot some signs of pest infestation. These signs need to be acted on promptly.

Unless the pests have already done considerable damage to the home’s structure, you may still consider proceeding with the purchase. However, you need to determine whether the issue is one that can be swiftly tackled by a pest expert. Inquire from the seller whether they’re willing to pay for the pest extermination service.

Never Ignore Home Inspection Red Flags

A home may well be the most expensive purchase you ever make, so you want to be sure that you get everything right. Don’t hesitate to hire a seasoned home inspector and act decisively on any home inspection red flags that come to light during the home purchase.

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