11 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale

While homebuyers are as individual as the homes they plan on purchasing, one thing they share is a desire to ensure that the homes they will call their own is good beneath the surface as it appears to be.

Will the roof end up leaking? Is the wiring safe? What about the plumbing? These, and others, are questions that the buyers looking at your home will seek professional help to answer.

According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when you home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the 11 most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before listing your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or worse, turn prospective buyers away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.

11 Critical Home Inspection Traps

To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, here are some of the items that you don't want to ignore.

1. Defective Plumbing
Defective plumbing can manifest itself if two different ways: leaking and clogging. A visual inspection can detect leaking and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear running water, it indicated that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.

2. Inadequate Wiring & Electrical
Your should have a minimum of 100 amps service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative circuits and a potential fire hazard.

3. Poor Heating & Cooling Systems
Insufficient insulation and an inadequate or a poorly functioning heating system are the most common causes of poor heating. While an inadequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has a life in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 years. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny. One that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.

To request a FREE report on all 11 of these critical items, visit FREE Inspection Report HERE, email Tara Belanger HERE or call 904.501.9037. You can also request more FREE Reports helping you Sell your home or Buy your next by visiting www.TaraBelanger.com and select either the Seller or Buyer tab from the drop down menu.

Tara Belanger is a licensed real estate agent with Re/Max Unlimited and a Nocatee Certified Agent. Tara is a top rated agent and a leading expert on local market trends. She publishes her work across multiple newsletters and publications in Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. You can visit her site at www.NortheastFLLiving.com. A portion of every closing by Tara Belanger benefits the Kids In Need Foundation. Visit www.TaraSupportsKINF.com for information on KINF.