Whether you’re buying or selling your home, home inspections often come into play. If you’re buying, you want your new property to be free of any major issues. If you’re selling, you want to make sure your home passes the inspection with minimal issues, so you won’t lose potential buyers.
When it comes time to sell your home there are several common issues that you can address before your home is inspected. Some issues are surprisingly simple to fix yourself. Others may require skilled tradespeople. But it pays to be proactive when you’re entering the Real Estate Market.
Here are some of the most common issues that show up in home inspections.
Furnace Inspection and Cleaning
Your furnace should have had an inspection within the year you are selling or buying your home. This is a quick fix and something you need to have done anyway.
Grading of Earth Around Your Home
This is one issue that always shows up in home inspections. The earth around the perimeter of your home should be raised to ensure that grading is not an issue.
Leaky Plumbing
Do you have dripping taps or leaky pipes? This may be something you can fix yourself by replacing old washers. Plumbing that leaks is a major turnoff and is often an easy fix.
Hairline Cracks in Foundation
If you think nobody will notice or it will not show up in an inspection, it will! Have an expert take a look and see how this can be fixed. If you do have a contractor fix your foundation, keep the receipt to show your potential buyers.
Asbestos around heating vents
Although this sounds scary to have asbestos around heating vents, it’s usually not a problem. Unless it’s broken down and creating dust. If you decide to have it removed call a licensed technician to make sure removal is safely done.
Electrical Wiring
Check to make sure wiring is safe. Aluminum wiring, or over used circuits, can cause problems to your electrical system. If you need to replace your circuit panel, expect to pay a couple thousand dollars to have it replaced. This is something you can negotiate if you’re buying or selling.
Poor Ventilation
If you don’t have proper ventilation in bathrooms or cooking areas this can lead to problems with mold or fungus and air quality issues. You may need new fans installed.
Our Anne Winch Ottawa Real Estate Team can help you find a qualified inspector whether you’re buying or selling your home. We can also help you navigate through issues that may come up in home inspections. Often these are negotiable in the buying or selling price. Give us a call and see how we can help you negotiate the best deal with the least headaches.