Most home buyers require a Home Inspection before signing the Purchase and Sales Agreement. A satisfactory inspection is often used as a contingency on the contract to purchase real estate. It means that the buyers can choose to back out of the contract to purchase your home if the inspection is not satisfactory, without losing their deposit.

In most cases, nothing major is uncovered during the inspection and buyers may choose to negotiate repairs by either reducing their offer price, asking for a credit at closing or by asking the seller to fix a few things before closing.

As a Real Estate Agent working home sellers and buyers, I have been many home inspections and observed that when one of these 5 inspection issues come up, a large portion of buyers will back out or will be looking for a very significant financial discount.

Please note that I am not licensed inspector nor a licensed contractor. You should consult a licensed professional to get a professional opinion on any of the issues listed below...

#1. Structural issues

The foundation is perhaps the most critical piece of what makes your home structurally sound. While a home inspector will be able to identify basic structural issues, they may not be able to fully determine what exactly needs to be done to correct the problem. Common issues are Wall/Floor Cracks, settling cracks, sinking foundation...

There are companies that specialize in repairing foundation issues and a structural engineer can help you assess what repairs need to be done and refer you to great contractors to get the job done.

#2. Water issues

There is nothing that will strike fear into a home buyer faster than prior evidence of water in a home. It can be caused by many factors. For example cracks in the foundation, improper drainage around the property, leaky gutters, siding issues... If you are experiencing frequent or significant water issues, a Home Inspector can help you identify the root cause of the issues and point out how to remediate the issue.

#3. Pest issues

Termites and carpenter ants are two common pest that can affect the structural integrity of your home. Termites feed primarily on wood, they are capable of compromising the strength and safety of an infested structure. Pest control companies should be able to inspect your home for signs of termites or any other pest and help you remediate the issue.

#4. Mold

With moisture often comes mold. A large portion of home buyers understand the health issues that mold can cause. There are mold remediation companies that do an excellent job of cleaning up and stopping the source of the problem.

#5. Electrical issues

Some of the more common wiring issues include the following double tapped breakers, Lack of ground fault interrupters, circuit breaker that are not the same brand as the panel reverse polarity of outlets... If you have any knob and tube wiring in your home, it will make sense to get it removed. If you have any doubts on your electrical system, a licensed electrician can help you identify and fix any issues.