Water damage, foundation movement, aging roofs and haphazard electrical systems are the biggest red flags prospective buyers should look for when buying a home, Maine home inspectors warn.
A home inspection gives a new homeowner a clear idea of what condition a home is in and what might need to be replaced or repaired soon. It could also lead a buyer to back out of a purchase if a property needs more significant work than expected, or renegotiate a sale to compensate for necessary improvements.
While many buyers chose to waive home inspections during the height of the pandemic when houses in Maine were difficult to come by, today’s slower market allows for more future homeowners to take the time to complete one. Even if an inspection adds an extra step and cost for the buyer, it can save money spent on expensive repairs.
Multiple Maine home inspectors said buyers should look for evidence of moisture and structural shifts in houses rather than cosmetic issues.
“Water is the single most destructive force affecting a home, and it’s the common denominator behind many of the most expensive repairs I encounter,” said Dan Smart, a home inspector and owner of Bangor-based Affordable Home.
Water can get into a house through an old roof, leaking plumbing or a foundation that is no longer watertight. Moisture can also accumulate within a house through regular daily activities — such as showering or cooking — if the home lacks adequate ventilation and the water has no way to escape.
Over time, water can break down building materials such as wood and drywall, harm a home’s structural integrity, and cause mold growth. Homeowners can avoid significant structural damage and costly remediation if moisture issues are identified and corrected early.
“One misconception is that mold is always visible,” Smart said. “In many cases, what concerns me most are the conditions that allow mold to develop.”
Structural problems caused by the home shifting or settling can also be costly for homeowners, said Benjamin Hooper, an engineer, developer and owner of Little River Homes in Belfast who also performs home inspections.
Cracks or movement in the foundation can lead to sloped or uneven floors, bowing walls and allow water to get in.
“Structural issues are usually a no-go when you’re buying a house,” Hooper said. “A major foundation issue can cost $25,000 pretty easily.”
Both Hooper and Marcis Curtis, a home inspector and owner of Acer Home Services in Dedham, said buyers should also consider how long the sellers have owned their home.
A property owned by one family for years or decades is often better cared for, but the owners may have completed some work themselves that may not be up to code. Meanwhile, a home that has been flipped is “more of a gamble,” Curtis said.
While some flippers may thoroughly renovate a home before selling it, others might make quick cosmetic improvements and sell a home without addressing its bigger flaws.
“A house flipper buys a house for $150,000 and puts $50,000 into the house, then sells it for $400,000 a few months later,” Hooper said.
If a home is still occupied when a prospective buyer tours it, Curtis recommended looking out for extension cords and power strips throughout the property. Those, he said, can indicate that the home doesn’t have enough working or grounded outlets.
Older homes in particular may have unsafe electrical systems, as multiple generations of wiring and repairs may have been combined over time, according to Smart.
Lastly, buyers should keep an eye out for spray foam insulation in the basement over a masonry or stone foundation, Curtis said.
“This application can hide critical structural issues and prevent important maintenance from occurring without removing the insulation, which can be very costly,” Curtis said.