When purchasing a new home, it is essential to have a home inspection. A home inspection will reveal potential defects which you can request seller repair, perhaps request a credit, or you may elect to accept the property in its condition – but you will know what you will need to repair in the future.
Here are seven potential property defects to look out for:
- Bad wiring
- Whether as a result of age or incompetence, many homes have poor wiring that is not adequate for the needs of modern appliances. This is not only inconvenient and costly, it can be dangerous, as bad wiring is at an increased risk of short circuits and electrical fires. Note generally, an upgrade is not considered a typical home inspection request.
- Structural damage
- Properties can have damage resulting from fires, floods, burglaries, previous disasters, or just age or poor workmanship.
- Mold or mildew
- Homes that have problems with drainage or ventilation may experience significant issues with mold or mildew. If not addressed, this can lead to continuous problems that can damage your property or your health indefinitely.
- Insects or vermin
- Rats, mice, termites, ants, and bedbugs are all unpleasant and unwanted guests, but home sellers are not always eager to disclose their presence. Without an inspection, you could find yourself needing to remove these pests on your own dime.
- Toxic materials
- Many older buildings may still have building materials that are no longer considered safe for use in construction, such as asbestos or lead. These types of property defects can be shockingly expensive to deal with, so you should be aware of them before you choose to buy a property.
- Unlicensed renovations
- To save money on repairs or renovations, some people will hire unlicensed contractors to do the work (or, worse, will try to do the work themselves). Often, this can leave a building with major property defects, which can be both costly and unsafe.
- Code violations
- Building codes are constantly being updated to ensure buildings are safe to inhabit, but not every building is up to date on its construction. These code violations are considered property defects, and may need to be repaired to bring the building in line with fire safety rules and other regulations.
The New Jersey real estate lawyers at Riley and Gutman, LLC, are ready to assist you with your real estate transaction. We are committed to providing prompt, experienced and personal service to our clients, and will provide you with the legal support you need throughout your transaction and beyond. Give us a call at 731-431-0300, or visit our contact page for more information.