5 Elmira Home Inspection Obstacles You Need to be Aware of
If you have never purchased a home in Elmira, NY, you might not know what the potential obstacles are when your home inspector points them out to you. It’s understandable that you may not be aware of how expensive certain items are. In some cases, it’s best to just walk away, rather than to try and negotiate your deal again.
At Precision Home Inspection, we get excited when our inspections go really well. There’s nothing better than to give new homeowners the good news so that they can get on with the purchase of their new properties. However, sometimes there are things that could really put you in a financial bind later on. It might be temporarily heartbreaking, but it’s better for you to know now, rather than later. Let’s talk about what those items are.
Obstacle #1: Serious Foundation Problems
Your home’s foundation is one of the most important parts of the house. Repairing it can take a long time, and it can be really expensive. If your foundation is cracked or bulging, this means your house could be in danger of other issues as well. Also, correcting it can mean that you will need to make other repairs to the house now, or later.
Obstacle #2: Aluminum Wiring
Aluminum wiring isn’t something that you’re likely to find in homes that have been built more recently. However, during the Vietnam War, builders frequently used it. It was much cheaper than copper wire. The problem is that it expands and contracts when it gets hot, which can lead to house fires. Replacing it can be done, but it can cost thousands.
Obstacle #3: A Buried Oil Tank
At one time, some homes would have propane tanks buried in the backyards to heat homes. This was prior to electrical heating. If your home has a leaking tank, the cost to remove it might be more than $10K. These are much more common in the Northeast, because of the colder winters.
Obstacle #4: Past DIY Home Updates Without Permits
Lots of people like to make changes to their homes. Unless they’re professionals, they tend to forgo getting permits to do the work. This can cause big problems for you later on if there is an issue with the work that was done. It could actually end up getting you into trouble with your home insurance company. Any issues that resulted might not be covered, which leaves you to pay for the damages.
Obstacle #5: Polybutylene Plumbing
This type of piping was used frequently in the 1980s because they were cheaper than copper. However, chlorine in the water can quickly degrade them. This led to leaking and flooding. The problem is that many homeowners kept them unless they noticed a problem. If your home has them, you could be in for a lot of issues in the future.
It’s Important to Trust Your Elmira Home Inspector
Your home inspector should be able to point most of these issues out to you. You’ll want to take their advice, and if you have to, walk away.
Do you need to make an appointment for your home inspection in Elmira, or elsewhere in the Twin Tiers? Contact us!