Housing
This section of the BDN aims to help readers understand Maine’s housing crisis, the volatile real estate market and the public policy behind them. Read more Housing coverage here.
Maine home inspectors urge first-time buyers to hire a professional to assess a property before closing on it, and remember that every home has flaws.
Inspections give potential buyers an understanding of the status and quality of a home and all its systems, from the roof to the plumbing infrastructure. The goal is to tell buyers what, if any, repairs need immediate attention and what should be expected in the coming years, according to Dan Smart, a home inspector and owner of Bangor-based Affordable Home.
“No home is perfect,” Smart said. “A home inspection shouldn’t be viewed as a pass-or-fail evaluation.”
Maine saw a rising trend of buyers waiving home inspections during the height of the pandemic when the housing market was especially tight and properties were snatched up in a matter of days. While this practice may have made some offers stand out in the competitive market, those buyers lost the opportunity to uncover any deficiencies in the home they’re vying for.
Now that the market has slowed, experts recommend buyers take the time to complete one, even if it adds an extra time and cost to the closing process. This is because an inspection could 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.
Home inspections are especially important because they give an unbiased evaluation of critical systems like plumbing and electrical, Marcis Curtis, owner and lead inspector of Acer Home Services in Dedham, said. That detailed information likely isn’t something a buyer could gather on their own in a tour, or learn from sellers or realtors.
“Real estate photos are shot to highlight the best parts of the home and can be misleading,” Curtis said. “Even after an in-person walk through, without the experienced perspective of a home inspector, buyers can miss critical issues while dreaming of their new life in that home.”
Smart encourages buyers to follow him as he inspects the home they’re looking to buy. In addition to providing information that can’t be easily explained in a written report, Smart said buyers learn how the various systems within the property work and where important shut-off switches and valves are, which may be necessary in an emergency.
Aside from the importance of the inspection itself, Smart said first-time buyers may not understand the importance of managing the moisture in their homes — regardless of the house’s age — after they move in.
Small things like roof leaks, faulty plumbing and even humidity generated by cooking or showering can seem minor, but all cause moisture to enter a home. It’s important for homeowners to address those issues when they arise, as they can cause significant damage down the road that’s expensive to fix.
Smart said 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.” That damage includes wood decay, mold growth, insect activity and deterioration of other building materials.
Even owners of newly built homes need to monitor the moisture levels and air quality in their home, as modern homes are “built much tighter” to comply with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.
“That’s a positive step for energy efficiency, but a tighter building envelope also reduces natural air exchange,” Smart said. “A well-built home should not only conserve energy but also effectively manage moisture and provide adequate ventilation.”