Deal Breakers When Buying a Home | Ask This Old House

In this video, host Kevin O’Connor asks the team at Ask This Old House about the red flags that they might consider deal breakers in today’s real estate market. From foundations to rooflines, they list their top concerns.
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The Ask This Old House team discuss a few items house hunters might discover in a home that could cost them thousands of dollars to repair. Do your research when selecting a licensed and highly recommended home inspector.
Today’s real estate market is a tough one. Inventory is low and moving quickly, so many buyers have resorted to full (or above) asking price offers while foregoing inspections. That’s not an ideal scenario, so host Kevin O’Connor asked the team at Ask This Old House what they would consider deal breakers if they were shopping for homes today.
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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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Deal Breakers When Buying a Home | Ask This Old House
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[@bbtank3000]

This was great! The Old House should have an entire episode devoted to a mock home inspection and what to look for.

[@CB-vg1wq]

I agree with your idea.

[@matthewortiz7223]

They don't ugh they need one

[@chadrowland5234]

I am in agreement with both this original comment and both replies. Ask This Old House needs to do a mock inspection of a home.

[@kellir.747]

And how to select a good inspector

[@victorn4745]

There’s this canadian show called home inspector or something like that. Literally does this per show.

[@VisionsTruth]

Another thing I would recommend going on along the last note is don't making any major improvements that aren't critical until you've lived in the house for 1 year and experienced all the seasons, that way you can really prioritize that list.

[@CB-vg1wq]

Your advice is very smart. Take the time to live in the house before you decide what needs to be done.

[@jimsomerville3924]

True. Or you may decide it's not the house for you for any number of reasons, including location and other non-house issues.

[@katie7748]

​@@jimsomerville3924 Like smelly beyond belief paper mills or chicken processing plants? Bad neighbors? Oh yes. I agree.

[@stevekluesner4430]

Hopefully you got some time like that to work with ; REALLY SUCKS if must do(s) start EARLY in 👀 👀 look it over and try not to miss to much , kinda like general line of advise this spot is about ; AND hope 🙏🙏you didn't miss anything 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@RobertStCyr-zh1tw]

That's what we did. I'm so happy because all those crazy ideas about knocking down walls and up putting in this and that went away after I lived in the house for a year. Also gave us more time to save for the renovation.

[@phurwitzma]

The combined brain trust around that table with their knowledge of all aspects of the trades and homes is astounding. I've been watching this show since I was a kid and am always learning new things.

[@RaymondZhu021296]

It's like the Justice League of home improvement

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Do you want a trophy or a cookie?

[@frooke2]

I've been watching this show since I was a kid too and it's pathetic compared to what it used to be.

[@katie7748]

​@@johnlebzelter4208 I want whoever peed in your cheerios punished. My goodness...

[@homeaudiobasics]

When I was 16 my parents bought a house and the sewerline collapsed 3 months after closing. Everytime I've bought a house (old enough to not have pvc or no recent replacement) I pay a plumber to run a camera through. One house we were offering on recently had 45 yr old cast iron that was breaking apart. The owner wanted to patch a few parts, because full replacement was $35k. We walked.

[@-Nobody-1]

Wow! you’re such a tough negotiator!

[@MrHistoryWalker]

There are a lot of older homes, as recent as the 1970s, that used Orangeburg pipes for the sewage line. With a maximum lifespan of about 50 years, these are a major failure point in houses today. My 1920s home needed this replaced, my sisters 1960s house needed it replaced. I always recommend getting a plumber to use their camera snake and scope the waste line.

[@Zero11_ss]

Sad thing is the next person probably got trapped by it, crazy its not all put online in reviews or something.

[@caden01691]

I bought a 1960 4 bed 2 bath house on a slab with cast iron and orangeburg sewer. Plumbing issues weren't brought up but I quickly discovered them after moving in. Ended up trenching through 60 feet of slab and replacing with PVC. Said screw it and moved one bathroom and added a third. I'm an electrical contractor so I'm not afraid of some work, did it all myself with some pointers from my buddy that's a plumber. Definitely wouldn't recommend overtaking a project like that if you're the average person. With the entire remodel a contractor would've charged me over $100k. I spent like $30k and gained $100k in equity. Tried to make the best out of a 💩 situation, and it worked.

[@melchizedek077]

Not sure how much a replacement would be, but last year checked out a 40s house and got a plumber to scope the sewer, they didn't have a cleanout so could only get so far. I asked the seller to put a cleanout so he could complete the inspection, their response was that I pay for 2/3s of it... I terminated the offer.

[@Chrissers2010]

One of my sons had an older home they were looking at buying on a beautiful property near a small creek. He asked me to look it over. There were a few fixable things, but there were signs of a wet basement, including a crack on one end (nearest the creek) and a sump pump. I got on the FEMA website and the flood surveys showed the house was in the creek floodway. Flood plain means it will see gently moving flood water. Floodway means it is in the active flow of the water during flooding and gets into significant insurance issues and building permits for adding on to the house. The realtor assured them this was not a problem, but the FEMA website and the house itself, said differently.

[@mvg2x34]

Nothing is a problem for realtors driving a Lexus and smelling money.

[@truantray]

Realtors make a living by lying. It's pretty common sense to never buy a house on low ground or a flood plain.​@@mvg2x34

[@nofurtherwest3474]

… and?

[@jplum7708]

Realtors are the biggest liars around. I looked at one house with a brand new dehumidifier in the basement. The box it came in was sitting right next to it. The rest of the basement was empty. It was the only thing down there. When I asked the realtor about it during the open house, she said she didn't know anything about it. 😂 I walked.

[@bobbycrosby9765]

Note that flood surveys can be wrong. Ours was the same. However, when building the houses here, they relocated the creek, but none of the maps got updated. The previous owner paid fema $5k to re-assess the situation, and now they have a note for the property that it is actually not in a flood zone. For whatever reason, the county refuses to update the map with the redirected creek.

[@moc5541]

They missed checking the sewer outlet to the main in the street. If the line to the municipal sewer line is broken and needs replacement--- this is off of your property, in the public right-of-way--- the municipality generally will not pay for it. It's all on you... say $30K+. Don't ask my how I know. It's been so painful.

[@m3rdpwr]

Yup, happened to a family friend.

[@joeschmo5710]

Absolutely. I paid a little iver $30,000 to re-line the sewer pipe. It is/was a living nightmare.

[@stevebabiak6997]

But no person can really check that without a sewer line inspection camera. And most home inspections don’t use such a device.

[@coreygrua3271]

A braintrust? CERTAINLY.

[@andrewbaker2514]

It’s usually an extra inspection you have to pay for but definitely worth it in my book. Saved me a $6k repair

[@saraquigley5414]

As a homeowner anticipating selling at some point, I’ve always kept a running list with dates of improvements, replacements, or changes that I’ve made myself or had done professionally. I think that when the time comes to sell, it will help potential buyers to have a level of trust in what they are buying if they know the status of the level of upkeep in the house.

[@Plenty_for_Twenty]

I made an Excel sheet with big ticket items. Install date, warranty, PO#, etc

[@mrsatire9475]

Show them the list of permits

[@JohnAnderson-o8l]

If I were to ever buy a house I would try to schedual the walk through the day after it rains. The heavier the better. I would also bring a thermo camura to "see" any areas of water infiltrating or pooling behind walls or ceiling.

[@MrSteve280]

The first item they mentioned, a proper, professional home inspection, is by far the most important thing anyone can do and will mitigate most, if not all, of the subsequent items they mentioned. I was the fourth owner of my current house (three military owners in 12 years) and my home inspector discovered the large multi-level deck was non-compliant. It had top-quality construction and materials and was wildly overbuilt with nineteen (19) 6x6 support post instead of the required 4x4 (according to the inspector, 1/3 as many posts as required). It would easily pass as a freestanding deck - as it had with at least two previous home inspectors - except that the joists were not continuous in one section and there was no ledger. The then-owner had to fix this as it could not legally be listed as a saleable property otherwise it would be considered a defect of non-disclosure and, because it was safety related, their insurance company would have to be notified.

[@Redeemed-w3g]

I personally would not object to over engineering unless it was an eye sore. The ledger board would be a concern, and likely the split joists depending if they were properly supported.

[@MrSteve280]

@@Redeemed-w3g The Titanic was over engineered.

[@AB8Y_radio]

My advice when house shopping start in the basement. Look at the wiring. look for signs of water damage and mold. Look for any structural issues in the foundation or framing. There were several houses I didn't even bother looking at the rest of it the deal was broken already i the basement.

[@davidlohberger5237]

Your comment was better than anything they said.

[@SomeUserNameBlahBlah]

I've seen homes listed online with basement pictures. In these pictures you could see foundation cracks and in others you could see past water damage.

[@chrispreperato5562]

When I bought several months back, any house with a basement photos (or even better, the 3D tours), I immediately went and found the electrical panel. My town has a LOT of older (~1900) houses, and you could easily see the knob and tube or smaller panels. Or my personal favorite, the bullnose panel in the stairway to the basement. And there's a lot of 1960s and 1970s homes that had sketchy stuff too. The ones that didnt look like they at least have 150A service and modern-style cable were basically immediately off the list because even if they were cheaper, I didnt have the time or energy to deal with a major rewiring project

[@AB8Y_radio]

@@chrispreperato5562 here we have a lot of former grow houses where they were not interested in any sort of electrical code to get their operation going. Knob and tube would have been an improvement from what I saw.

[@CB-vg1wq]

Great advice.

[@Mike137dd-v4r]

1) Don't fall in love at first sight! Go in with your eyes wide open! When we bought a well-built 1960 ranch style home with lots of beautiful stonework (inside and out) in a great location that needed a new roof, new windows, siding, electrical work, a new heating system and the septic was suspect, two large storm damaged and dangerous trees needed to be taken down, kitchen and baths were very dated, we wrote the seller a letter introducing ourselves complimenting them on their very nice home. They were the original owners. We politely and honestly explained the need and cost of each item of concern giving them the basis of our offer that was considerably less than their asking price. We worked out a price that worked for both of us. They appreciated the honesty and some communication back and forth with us rather than dealing with just the realtor and offer sheets. I think once the housing market calms down, (hopefully it does) this is a good approach to take if you really want a property that needs a lot of money put back into it. BTW, after doing all the work and upgrades over a 5-year period we love it here! I would love to show some of the before and after pics. We took a 60+ year old house and it looks like it is a new custom built home.

[@toryevanss4512]

I have one, for very old houses! When I bought my 1926 bungalow, the electrical panel was modern and all the wiring we could see was relatively modern. No problem with insurance and home inspector didn't note anything. As we did renovations over the subsequent years, we realized that a TON of original knob and tube was still in use in places that were hard to reach (entire upper story, and all the ceiling lights/fans on the first floor.) It ended up costing us around $35k to get it all replaced (including major wall damage and the associated repairs.) That's a lot of money to spend just to have the house somewhat less likely to burn down.

[@WakandaBabe]

I feel your pain. Similar situation here: my panel was modern and the knob and tube had been 'deactivated' on the main floor (it's a one story). BUT, the city blew insulation over my knob & tube wiring, completely covering it in the attic. That is a fire hazard; knob & tube wiring needs air flow. So, they had to correct it. I commented previously on the process but, in short, the city hired a highly rated electrical contractor with experience in working on old houses (my bungalow is 1927) and a BPI certified contractor to first remove all the insulation. So removal of the insulation, then removal of all K&T (tedious work since they did it without opening my walls) and complete rewiring of my house. Insulation blown back in. My fear was that they would tear open my plaster walls but after doing some research, I was relieved to know that people with old school skills and experience in working with old houses can do wiring without wrecking your home. My house is small, 1092 sq ft but it took two full days to complete the work. I was very lucky. So if you had K&T wiring covered with insulation you are better off with new wiring. Good luck with your bungalow!

[@universalmind0]

curious what city you live in? I have k&t wiring that I want to replace but I'm convinced I can't afford it. $35k is insane!

[@laurenappa7233]

$35k seems to be the magic number when something goes wrong with a home. That’s how much it cost for a friend of mine to rebuild their basement after a flood. It just seems like buyers don’t take into account worst case scenarios, I know I didn’t when I bought my first one. After 20+ years of owning and renting I am of the mind that most people making an average salary and have average handy skills would be much better off renting. Then there are the screams that they’re “throwing money away on rent” but I’ll ask this: will your investment account earning 10% or more a year ever need a new roof? Or paint? Or foundation work? No, it’ll just go up and down, but more likely up.

[@catherinesanchez1185]

@@laurenappa7233this is a good point . Even I talk to people about buying a home , I remind them you’re not just buying a house . You’re buying giant baby that needs to be fed large sums of $$$$ to keep it habitable . The mortgage payment is just the beginning . If you can’t do repairs yourself and can’t afford to save $$$ to pay for them , then you can’t afford the house .

[@jaysmith6013]

Imagine having these guys as your core friend group

[@MattMangels]

Dream blunt rotation

[@dspears666]

Plaid overload

[@cheeseballs3825]

Me: "hey guys, can we talk about something other than home repair?" Them: "like what, landscaping?"

[@TC2020-w8u]

I'd kill myself becuase it would mean I lived on the east coast....

[@derrickriggs2381]

Especially if there's a fixable problem that you never got around to doing​@MattMangels

[@Nonakame]

One thing not mentioned is find a reputable home inspector. The realtor on my last home purchase insisted on using “her guy” and he missed a bunch of code violations. Either missed or ignored to get the home sold. Circuit breaker panel sparked and almost caused a fire, replaced $1k. Gas stove fittings were very non code and was leaking gas. Another was the termite damage to the patio. $7k I went to sue him, but the had been sued multiple times already and lost his license. Moral of the story, find an accredited home inspector.

[@j.m.7056]

The agent also is culpable. Needs to be reported for "her guy".

[@askmom802]

finding a reputable and competent home inspector is THE single most important part of this process!!! as the collective intelligence of the population continues to decline, competencies in ALL areas, decline too...

[@AndrewE3]

This is also my biggest piece of advice! Never go with the realtors inspector!!!

[@chuckd.68]

Agree, same thing happened to us on our first home purchase. Won’t happen in the future lol

[@AndrewE3]

@@chuckd.68 yup I’m. Still living in the first house 😭😂

[@Scubamike4499]

Mentioned a couple times but look at things you cant change. Neighbors, loud roadways, hoas, everything in the house is repairable or can be remediated, though some way more $$$ than others. Good health to all

[@wtfserpico]

Exactly this. Doesn't matter how nice the house is if you end up living in a bad neighborhood.

[@katie7748]

Also trucks full of factory farmed chickens heading to slaughter. I don't mind the highway noise of them coming and going, but that smell?? Idk if I'll ever eat chicken again. It's worse than paper mill.

[@johnward8064]

Amen. Bad neighbors cannot be replaced.

[@Scubamike4499]

@@johnward8064 not legally anyway, lol...

[@sanniepstein4835]

You can find a deal in a shabby-genteel area, but crime is unacceptable.

[@Dan6erous]

I bought an inspection from the person who made a previous offer and backed out. Cost me 1/3 the price and was available immediately.

[@CB-vg1wq]

Interesting idea but how did you find out about that person and get to contact them? Did the realtor helped you make the connection?

[@ChargerBullet]

@@CB-vg1wq Most likely the realtor. My brother paid for an inspection but the deal on the house didn't go through. A few months later the realtor called him asking him if he was willing to sell the inspection report for another potential buyer.

[@ezone913]

Episode 2, A mock home inspection showing everyone the proper tools. Tape measure, plumb bob, ladders, pics and probes, etc. Who and when to hire, like the well inspector and chimney pros for their specialist eyes and testing tools.

[@rayjackson4547]

Guy, great take on home inspections and the risk of skipping home inspections. I have been a home inspector in Mass for over 35 years, myself and my company have inspected over 50 thousand homes. We are now getting calls for post-inspection a few days or weeks after the buyers take ownership. We are finding structural damage, molds, unsafe decks, and a multitude of issues some ranging over 50k. Buyers skip their legal right for an inspection, paying way over the ask and inheriting all these issues. I feel sorry for these young people but there is nothing we can do for them after they take ownership. Having a full inspection before purchase and sales is imperative, We will not find everything but at least you can make an informed decision. Any licensed home inspector will tell you, that safety is our number one priority.

[@lucash1980]

"Nothing we can do about it" is such a sad cop-out. Real Estate Agents will tell you that you're making the single biggest purchase of your life, a huge decision, and then rush and pressure you to sign your life away. If everyone was honest and honorable, it wouldn't be a problem, but people have taken family homes and turned it into a profit game. It only takes an ounce of accountability to fix everything. Start with a mandatory 60 minute safety inspection (like we do with car sales). The house must pass a basic safety inspection to complete a sale. The inspector can be hired on to complete a more extensive report if the buyer wishes. If there aren't enough inspectors to cover each sale, then a basic safety disclosure may suffice. "I the seller and I the real estate agent declare this home safe for habitation." They remain liable for correcting any safety violations discovered 30 days after a sale or 1 year for violations that were not disclosed/ hidden and inaccessible at the time of sale. (Yes, it opens up the sellers to fraudulent claims, but the buyers have been defrauded by shady sellers for decades, if not hundreds of years). It is the basic used car salesman premise, "I wouldn't sell you anything I wouldn't let my dear, old mother drive!" I would say to the industry: stop opening the door for people to screw each other. That means mandatory full disclosure with penalties. If you own the home, you can't say "I don't know." You are required to know your product. Homeowners should self-declare or hire out an inspector to vouch: Lead paint? If needed, two samples from different locations sent to lab. Asbestos? Two samples insulation, two samples tile. Wiring? Which circuits are two wire ungrounded and which circuits are knob and tube. Plumbing? All pipe material used. Date and purpose of last plumbing related service call. Date and depth, extent and cause of last two floods. Water heater age. Cost of winter heating (December-March) Cost of summer electrical bill and cooling (June-Sept) Property taxes Roof material and age with warranty number. All rental contract numbers. Estimated age of appliances. Pests? Date of last pest service. List of known pests. List of modifications/intrusions into the structure of the building (holes or notches in excess of one inch). Penalties can be as simple as a seller database for "failure to disclose" to financial liability to the seller and insurance of the agent and or license suspension. Serious measures to push sellers and agents to err on the side of honesty. Ignorance would mean either paying to find and fix a problem or paying in the sales negotiation to take a loss for a potentially negative feature. ...that's what I would expect, minimum, for million dollar purchases. I've lived and loved my home for 3 years and I could complete that form accurately in about 30 minutes. Pulling up some old service bills via emails or home bills binder would take the majority of that time. Loving my family means that I will know the ins-and-outs of our home for safety and comfort. I take pride in that and would sell my home with pride and a clear conscience knowing it would take care of anyone who steps foot in it. An unloved house is not a home. Good inspectors are gold. They need stronger enforcement power and $$ bonus incentives to come back and see that their orders are complete.

[@pibblesnbits]

Darn, I feel bad for those young people too. Have they not learned that the boomers selling those houses have taken advantage of their generation already. Major red flag buying a boomer home.

[@bkdp]

Waiving the inspection contingency is not the same thing as skipping an inspection. It means get a pre-inspection before you submit your offer.

[@2nickles647]

They are skipping inspections because they want to sue after buying the home.

[@mathehack1]

​@@lucash1980that's pretty much what a home inspector does. I agree that's a great idea but a lot of people can be completely un educated about their own home. Like if you asked the average home owner what the material of their plumbing was made of would they actually know. Or when the house was wired last, plenty wouldn't. Some things are completely unknown by the seller like if there just so happens to be mold up in the attic or when the new owner is gutting the kitchen or bath and finds mold behind a cabinet or tub. The seller shouldn't have to pay for remediation if there was no willful neglect.

[@bobbycrosby9765]

I would advise against buying homes that have lots of minor things done wrong. It's a good signal for bigger things being done wrong - that it was owned by some DIYer who didn't know what they were doing. For example, a buddy bought a home where a couple of the outlets were installed with the wrong polarity. And the bathroom sink had no trap - it was just a normal elbow. No big deal, right? Well, after moving in they found out all the windows were installed wrong. The sliders too. It costed them a bunch of money.

[@JT_70]

We had a pre-closing inspection done. He found lots of light bulbs out (21), filthy HVAC filters and other relatively minor things. Sellers insisted on an “as-is” sale. The night we moved in, it stormed. We found water running down interior walls on the first floor in several rooms from a leaky roof. We then noticed the preexisting water stains on the walls. Later, I found a rotted post by the front door and a rotted window sill in an upstairs bedroom.

[@davidlohberger5237]

sounds like your "pre-closing inspection" was useless. He was to busy looking at at the little things to see the big things.

[@truantray]

​@@davidlohberger5237most pre-inspections are arranged by Realtors who pay inspectors to only highlight trivial things. A good piece of advice is never trust anyone, and get the most expensive inspector in your area.

[@LAZERZ-OP]

Sometimes if the owner can't take care of the little things like lightbulbs and HVAC filter, there's a good chance they let a lot of other stuff go as well. It's a red flag in itself

[@bike4peaceRTW]

Home inspectors are a joke. Big waste of money.

[@savannahsmiles1797]

@@bike4peaceRTW there are good ones. Everyone of our inspections helped us know about potential issues. I bought a new home. 3 mths old. The guy was being deployed and he had just bought the home and didn't want to deal with renters. Plus he decided after his deployment he would retire and leave the area. The inspector found that the shower installation cut through a joist and the drain wasn't hooked up in the crawl space to anything it was just left to drain on the ground. The HVAC system was in the attic, and somehow the electrical switch was just left in the cellulose insulation. Not mounted, possible FIRE Hazard. there was an attic fan that was never hooked up to the switch, installed but not getting any power. A few shingles were missing entirely in one of the V's in the roof section. Not noticeable from the ground. A couple of the gutters were not mounted to the home, just left propped UP. I think the military dude probably missed the inspection or something. I don't think he knew any of it. The builder was liable for all of it as it was incomplete and under warranty. Sadly that builder did end up being sued over incomplete stuff in other homes. Living there 10 yrs, those were the only issues. I sold as I got hailed out. 3 storms in 1 yr and I couldn't continue with insurance. And I work in insurance. Several of us had to move cuz we couldn't get insurance having submitted 3 claims in one year. Untouchable at that point.

[@Teddybearsandkittys]

Thank you guys! Way to keep it real even during these crazy times. One of the very few drama free informative shows left. Nothing but talent

[@derek2479]

Didn't mention: 1. Age of septic system (if applicable) and maintenance records. That's a $30k+ job to replace. 2. Well water testing (if applicable), that's bit us with several early 1900's houses near us with only cesspools. 3. Mold and/or ceiling stains (or evidence of recent stain repair :) ). Good advice from these guys. I will say however that formal inspections can be hit or miss. I had one done 5 years ago for a re-fi...maybe he didn't put in the effort since he knew it wasn't for a sale, but he glossed over a few things that I clearly knew were problems, including the above-mentioned ceiling stains from leaking pipes from an upstairs bathroom that we subsequently fixed.

[@davidlohberger5237]

A lot of home inspectors don't know what they are doing and are not an expert in every, or any trade.

[@dennislorenz4433]

Don’t forget to check whether the house is located in a flood plane, how often floods occur in this area, and the extra cost of insurance, if available.

[@cristianvel619]

This would be a good series from different places around the country. Homes in Southern California are definitely not the same as New England.

[@CB-vg1wq]

Good point ! Different regions of the country have different issues.

[@decencywarrior9598]

Add to that : Mature vegetation /trees requiring expensive maintenance or replacement , any properties with bordering easements , improperly installed well or septic system . Any low lying property in a development .

[@jsnb6489]

The number 1 deal breaker for me is a wood foundation. Another deal breaker would be the local property tax rates. Sometimes being one street over puts you in the city limits for instance and that can cost you alot more in taxes over the long term

[@brutebiz82]

I've been investing in rental properties for two decades. The first thing I do when I go into a property, (Northeast) is to walk into the basement. I look at the integrity of the foundation. Many times just looking at the straightness of the roof from the curb will tell me a lot about the foundation. I don't mind replacing any structure above the foundation, but any issue with what the home is sitting on is an instant deal breaker.

[@itwasrightthere]

Roof, foundation, water damage (where the cause hasn’t been dealt with), mold. Electric. I want the panel to be at least 150AMP, all outputs 3-prong, grounded. Check date codes on HVAC. Check slope around house- look for water pooling. That’s what I’ve been doing.

[@edsalinas9996]

I used to sell Solar panels, and the other reps along with myself, would tell People STAY AWAY from LEASEing your Solar panels. If the house you want to buy is currently leasing the Solar panels, then STAY AWAY!

[@davidbell31]

I would say the one thing that I didn’t think of when we were getting our home inspection is, does this house have a hot roof? If you live in northern climates with lots of snow like I do (Alaska), it can be a big issue and cause a lot of damage if it isn’t dealt with. Even if it is dealt with often times the options are expensive. We went with heating coils on our roof. This of course brings up our electricity bill drastically in the winter, which is when it is usually more expensive already. We love our house but had we known about ice damming and hot roofs, I am not sure that we would’ve bought it.

[@davidm5819]

I was a home inspector for 17 years and did over 5000 inspections including radon and Wood destroying insects. A lot has to do with whom is buying the home? Is it a first time buyer or someone that is going to flip the home or many others in between. Attic issues like rodent entry, old systems, underground systems, trees in close proximity. Bat 🦇 droppings, old wiring, environmental issues. Informing the prospective buyer and educating them was what I enjoyed, the blame game from all involved parties was a challenge. Tommy and Richard have such an extensive knowledge of homes that would be excellent at advising people as they do here and most often on the condition of the home, new construction or 100 + years old!

[@johnward8064]

Radon is a total BS scam.

[@TD-dw8bq]

We remediated radon and addressed an unknown bat issue. The former was easy, the latter was a major pain because of all of the protections related to the bats in my state. I give credit to the inspector regarding our fairly minor radon issue, but the guy missed the bats, exterior dry rot, loose bathroom service lines, other minor shoddy work/ neglect by the previous owner. I also learned to trust my instincts and be more critical of everything I was looking at.

[@benboots6956]

A deal breaker for me is a lead service line. Another deal breaker (from a cold weather location) is inadequate attic ventilation.

[@typorter-pp6lh]

I have purchased several residential properties in the past 20 years and the biggest dealbreakers for me all involve water getting into the house. If the property slopes toward the house or if there is evidence of water in the crawl space then I’m out. I also don’t buy properties with swimming pools because they are giant money pits and they all leak. Although not a dealbreaker I usually stay away from flipped houses because the workmanship is often very poor and hiding major flaws. Beware of any house you know to have been remodeled in less than 6 months.

[@derek2479]

"I also don’t buy properties with swimming pools because they are giant money pits and they all leak." Best $10k I spent in 27 years in my home was getting rid of the in-ground pool 9 years ago. And now we have a wide-open back yard! I live in New England so those are dumb anyhow. Can't speak for those down south.

[@mattmcdonnell2515]

Man I wish I’d seen this a year ago. I wouldn’t be redoing the trim and waterproofing on a door because the DIY flipper I bought from used interior trim on the outside of the door. I can see 1/4” of the wrap between the top of the “trim” and the siding…no wonder water came in through the inside of the trim!

[@lucash1980]

Not all flips are bad. Some people get a good contractor... but some people give in to greed and put lipstick on a pig. They have no honour. Old paint is good paint and wallpaper is golden. The years will tell the tale. Do not pay extra for a painted house. The old paint is honest and tells the story of every crack and leak and that is a selling point worth some $$ to me. I'll seal and paint it myself. The colour I want. The quality and finish I want.

[@bgBlea]

I live in the PNW mid way up a hill. French drain + sump pump + vapor barrier = no more water in the crawl space.

[@DeanRockne]

Indoor pools can be an opportunity. Usually they are more of a liability than an asset on a sale. For less than $10k in materials you can decommission and floor it over. Now you have an extra 800-1k sqft of finished space for a workshop or a gym. Most folks don't want to do that kind of work, so it narrows the field of who you're bidding against.

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

1) NOT having a highly qualified home inspection.2) Not checking for mold 3) NOT finding how old are the furnace, water heater and a/c unit.4) Asbestos. 5) Easements. 6) Kitchen not venting outside. These are all the mistakes I have made in buying homes over my lifetime.

[@UnlikelyToRemember]

Totally missed the biggest one! Location. It's the one thing you can't change (ok, sometimes you can, but at incredible expense). That highway is never going to get less busy. The HOA is never going to get less nuts. The hog confinement down the road a bit is never going to stop stinking. And so on.

[@ginacirelli1581]

Also consider the neighbors. Mine threw a hissy fit because I didn't want to cut down 30 foot trees on the property line so he could put in a 6 foot fence. That cost me thousands of dollars in lawyer, surveyor, and arborist fees just to put him in his place.

[@Jisstifer83626]

And always look out for nearby railroad tracks.

[@saraquigley5414]

We looked at a house once and seriously considered it until we noticed that the city water treatment plant was a couple streets away. When we asked the owners, they literally told us, “Oh, if we ever smell the sewage, we just call the plant operator and the smell goes away.” 😂😂😂 I think about that house every time I drive by that neighborhood and am thankful we caught that. Now, when looking for a house, I always zoom out on the satellite image of the property to see what water treatment plant, huge dam, big school, mining operation or firehouse is nearby.

[@maddierosemusic]

You got that right. In farming areas look for chicken houses or hog houses. There is a very nice house in the Shenandoah valley right next to 2 chicken houses that has sold 3 times in the last 3 years, 26 acres for less than $400. The smell is incredible. Also look for power lines and power substations. @@saraquigley5414

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Why?​@@Jisstifer83626

[@joemartino6976]

When you listen to the experts and add everything up, you come to realize the wide variety of issues to beware of. For most prospective homeowner's that's beyond the scope of their knowledge. That's why having a qualified home inspector is important. I emphasize the word qualified because there are probably a lot of inspectors who are not that good. Finding a knowledgeable inspector is key.

[@serjstoned]

Working in the real estate industry here in Illinois the most common things I see is water intrusion in basements . If you overpay for a home it’s most likely because there’s not another one like it and especially area is ideal such as it being next to a family member or friend.

[@MrSeebsy]

After owning & renovating multiple homes built in the 70's to 80s, I'd say if you don't have the knowledge yourself try and find a General contractor to do some kind of an inspection. In my experience these so called home inspectors where I live (NJ) are useless. Most are ex corporate office workers who just did some mickey mouse course.... They will provide a list of superficial crap while ignoring true big issues. And never use one recommended by your real estate agent.

[@bobjackson3735]

Yep! 😂

[@Toni_Snark]

The one recommended by my realtor did the most thorough, comprehensive inspection I have ever seen. He had an extensive background in construction.

[@kellir.747]

Totally agree. They also will have you sign some sort of disclaimer as an out in case something bad is found later. My “inspector” identified the furnace as being 10 years old and needing a good cleaning. Bought the house, brought in an HVAC company to clean the furnace. It was actually 20 years old, and the heat exchanger had rusted through. Carbon monoxide danger. Opinion verified by a second HVAC company. Unplanned expense to replace the furnace. Inspection report said the inspection was visual only and not a thorough inspection, so I had no recourse.

[@bertblue9683]

100%

[@maryd253]

Exactly

[@Ser-c5t]

In Canada Market , you can not get an inspector as condition to purchase , Seller will just go to next bidder , so , you never know what you are getting into, it's very frustrating !!!

[@Larce89]

Nice video, but I'm glad I scrolled down and read these comments for an hour. It's been very eye-opening. Thank you guys for sharing your experiences. I feel better informed now.

[@flatflo]

I know a bunch of people are saying HOAs are a dealbreaker, but our HOA experience has been great. I know, but hear me out! I became disabled in my 40s so we moved from a 2 story 1920s brick bungalow to a 1 story villa 5 years ago. Now the lawns and landscaping are taken care of, along with gutters & siding, plus clearing our driveway and walkway when it snows. We carefully read the HOA documents and financials so we knew what we were getting into. No history of special assessments, monthly assignments less than $200, and a great weight off our shoulders.

[@leeb.7188]

My realtor had her inspector do the report, but I’ve been burned by realtor friendly inspectors before. I hired an independent inspector for $635 and he found that the electrical panel was subject to a government recall due to bursting into flames; that there were open electrical wires in the crawl space that needed to be capped off; that there was old rat urine in the attic insulation that required replacement and the sealing of a hole; and that the roof was not to code (can’t remember why). The seller had to bring in a licensed electrician to replace and repair the electrical issues, the insulation in the attic was replaced, and I got a $5,000 towards the eventual roof replacement. So having hired an independent inspector was very much worth the money in my case, especially concerning the electrical which could have caused a house fire with my family in there!

[@zb2363]

From one who twice purchased 100-year old homes (what was i thinking?!), lots of great info here- love the comments! I am a fan of TOH since the beginning but in the past few years I feel like it’s become “Gutting this old house” and also “Install every cutting edge highest-end outrageously expensive system in this old house”. Is this because the old houses are now so old they truly require such tearing out? And are these really the optimal new systems or do the owners just want the fanciest and most expensive? I would love to see a budget TOH!

[@radbond1]

I bought a house in El Paso during the dry season. After the first rain, the water was up to the back door because the stone patio wasn't flat - it was tilting toward the house. I removed the patio myself - not too hard for a 74 year old man 💪- but I should have taken a hose at inspection time and sprayed water on the roof to see where the water would go.

[@timothyhicks2791]

Totally agree with everything! People now rush into things too fast without thinking over things.

[@Mr13thatguy]

House-neighbors have security bars on windows.

[@chitownbangin]

One item missed (it's a common one to miss for some reason, kind of like people who don't get underneath a car to check out it's frame/unibody) was to make sure you check out the condition of your main carrying beam in your basement and all the joists as well. Look for water and carpenter ant and/or termite damage.

[@KevinOmbudsman]

These are all good tips....but...as a Realtor of over 20 years, I would add as the MOST IMPORTANT items to complete are 1) Sewer line scope and inspection, 2) check city records for construction permits and see if homeowner DIY projects were pulled and completed, and 3) Call the city to check about political issues (developments, changes in neighborhood development and zoning, and the city comprehensive plans. Of course there is more but these would be some of the items I stress.....

[@bobross1829]

The big overall point for me is do not buy a house because you want to own a house. Do not buy any property "as is" or without warranties. Insist on an inspection. If the seller says no, don't buy it no matter how much you like it. Do not buy at the top of the market. A house is the biggest investment you can make and you should take your time and choose one that will not be a hidden money pit. If you have to rent for a while to find a good one in an area you want to live, then so be it. Be picky. Way too many people just buy one because they feel the time is right, they are in a "life stage" where they think they should buy or they want to be in a school district or like an area. If a realtor says you have to put in an offer now! Multiple bids! Walk away. If no good houses are available with no problems and are not affordable for you, you need to wait until one opens or you reevaluate buying there. Reevaluate priorities. Is being in a city or walking distance to things THAT important? Is a particular school district that important to overpay? There are lots of good schools. Ten years from now you probably would not mind a commute if you bought somewhere cheaper, or you are happy with the school your kids are in where you bought and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[@AlexPDudley]

And get multiple inspectors, especially if you don't know the person doing the inspection. Our home inspector came recommended to us by the realtor and he missed TONS of issues that would have been great to know about.

[@MikeKunkel]

The very first thing that was stated isn't really true. I live in one of the markets where it's often stated that you you don't get an inspection. We bought at the height of the market, and we still got an inspection. What is really meant is that you can't get an inspection and request changes based on the result. In most cases even in really hot markets, you are fine putting in a pass/fail inspection in your offer.

[@maddierosemusic]

Yup, you can get a contract contingent on inspection. But you sure could get an inspection. But the market has changed in much of the country since prices are softer, and inspections are becoming more and more part of contracts. That doesn't mean a seller needs to take your offer, and if it is a fine house in a great location you might just want to pay full price with no contingencies and pay cash to make it as smooth as possible for the seller.

[@MikeKunkel]

@@maddierosemusic I wouldn't advocate for anyone to not do an inspection, at least as a pass/fail. You certainly can to make your offer look better, but there is a huge amount of risk there. I also highly recommend people walk with the inspector, so you are well aware of all the things that make it into the report, and those that don't. Also, you will have way more context than what you can get in the report. With the market softening, it's even easier to make that kind of offer. Our offer was very competitive, not cash, but with a significant appraisal gap, and with a pass/fail inspection.

[@gusloader123]

Good video topic, and good insights. When I have shopped for a house, I stop in the bathroom and flush the toilet. If it flushes - good. Then I turn on the hot and cold water taps and feel how hot or cold the water is or is not. Plumbing is very expensive. Related to the plumbing is the hot water heater. If it is inside the main floor of the house, then have it moved outside and placed on a slightly tilted concrete pad tilting slightly away from the house wall so if and when it leaks/breaks the water will run onto the lawn/garden. Much better than waking up some morning with an inch or 3 of water on all the floors/carpets/rugs in the house.

[@candrewjones]

Sage advice. We just had to replace all of our "red print" copper plumbing last week with PEX due to pinhole leaks.

[@davidlohberger5237]

The fact that it was "Red print copper (M) and not the thicker copper probably had little to do with it. Some people have bad water that will eat copper. Plastic pipe will fix it.

[@neoalley]

Check the joists (strong, not cut into, properly supportive) leaks in the attic, drainage in the yard after a rain, how fast the water drains in the sink, the placement and number of outlets in the rooms, how much sunlight comes in. Lots to consider and no house is perfect! All a balance between buying price and how much to set aside and fix!

[@RichardF-t7f]

With no water use in the house, go look at the meter and see if it’s spinning. Most meters have a triangle that turns when water is flowing. Flow at the meter with no fixtures in use indicate a hidden leak, typically underground.

[@ArtimSequoia]

Don't even show me a house if it's in an HOA.

[@Ambassador055]

I’m ok with a low HOA to prevent my neighbors from parking their RVs in front of my house.

[@AlanJames-oy4bj]

In? Don't even show me one NEAR an HOA. They do NOT respect the property rights of people who are NOT part of their HOA, but live nearby. That being said, it's more of a Community Issue rather than a Structural or Safety Issue, which I think was the focus of this video. Still, the term "Deal Breaker" in the Title makes it somewhat on topic.

[@damongupta4266]

This is a great primer on what to consider. But I think it's also important to talk with other home owners in the area you are looking. For example, heating source, stucco, condition of the frame, type of insulation, discoloration on the attic sheathing, etc. There's a lot to consider and having a checklist would be very helpful.

[@wilsonle61]

Every professional home inspection I ever had wasn't worth the paper it was written on. They all missed so many things I could have seen in a quick walk-through.

[@chrispreperato5562]

Same, got a discount on the inspection and he did the termite inspection for free as an add-on. We're still trying to figure out why the other person backed out; it had some minor plumbing and electrical things, but nothing that would even touch like $5k in repairs, let alone some massive project.

[@jimsomerville3924]

Ours was good and caught a number of issues on roof, attic, windows, gas appliances. And it was even the one recommended by my buyers agent, which could have a tendency to overlook issues to get the house sold and get more referrals. My major issue with inspections, though not necessarily solvable, is that everything is surficial. They're not going to be looking at the plumbing, electrical, and insulation within walls, for example. And if the homeowner leaves clutter, they won't move it to inspect.

[@debbiecreter2005]

Agree. Our “ inspector “ that we paid $350 for missed major electrical issues and an infestation of carpenter ants where we had to raze our enclosed patio due to the damage. This inspector was state certified too. Yikes!

[@kathynewkirk683]

Doubtful, you need to know what to look for and you need to find a reputable inspector….

[@wilsonle61]

@@kathynewkirk683 I am atrained Engineer, so......

[@SillyPutty3700]

Couple of points to add to this. 1) Richard made a point about replacing all of the substandard pipe when remodeling a Bath Room. DON'T ever cover a problem fixing it later will ALWAYS cost at least 3 times the repair cost when originally uncovered. 2) Tommy made a comment about foundation issues. If you buy a house with foundation issues hopefully you planned for it, don't do any other work until the foundation is fixed. Especially new doors, windows, tile, trim, patching, painting or millwork. The House is going to move all that stuff will flex and shift.

[@ShineOnBenevolentSun]

I regret not hiring the inspector myself instead of my realtor. The inspector I got just really wanted me to buy the home but wasn't concerned with nitpicking in order to help me lower my bid. There's a lot more wrong with the house than he found and I overpaid 😢

[@nickyp6701]

In Florida two major things in an old house, are modifying in the interior Hurricane straps from stud to truss, and the roof plywood needs clips in between each truss

[@ttiwkram]

A homeowners' association is a deal breaker for me. Even if there's no HOA, check the deed for CCR (conditions, covenants and restrictions). Before I buy my next home, I'll be looking at local millage election results. I want to find a township where the residents occasionally reject a millage increase rather than automatically raising their own taxes at every opportunity. Liquid propane (LP) heating is almost a deal breaker (let's say it's two strikes). Compared to natural gas, it's very expensive and inconvenient.

[@WakandaBabe]

I live in New England. I bought a 1927 bungalow 19 years ago. When I look back I think I missed a few things but fortunately, my house has very good 'bones.' The only thing I spent money on was a new roof last year, a rebuilt chimney, new bathroom and kitchen lights along with a new toilet and sink (which required some new plumbing) and had all my window ropes and weights fixed. The other stuff I had done was done with funding from the city: Removal of all insulation in the attic and then removal of all knob & tube wiring and complete rewiring of my house, air sealing (with insulation board and various foams) of the attic and basement and insulation blown in attic and exterior walls, Panasonic Whisper fan in the bathroom and of course it had to be vented out through the roof (there was no fan in the bathroom before), vinyl weather stripping for my front and back door. The insulation was done by a BPI certified contractor. A heat gun was used by an inspector to make sure any gaps in insulation was fixed. The electrical work was inspected by the city. It took 2 days to rewire my house (1092 sq ft) because they did it without opening my plaster walls; lots of tedious work. I even got a new driveway NOT funded by the city, but I didn't pay for that either...long story. The work was done by responsible contractors though. Years ago I replaced my old asbestos boiler but the loan I got was structured as a grant; if I stayed in my home for 5 years, the city would discharge the loan in full. They did and I have the recorded discharge. The state is replacing homeowners' water lines with copper if they are lead, at no cost to the homeowner. I've been approved and have been notified that will be happening shortly. So I have been lucky, very lucky. I still need to paint the outside and fix my front screen door. Some cosmetic painting on the inside. But all in all, even though I made a few mistakes my home turned out just fine.

[@rfarevalo]

flood risk, flood risk, fire risk fire risk, check the landscape before deciding on the home.

[@maryd253]

One major red flag to me is a flipped house. Absolutely NO WAY I’d buy a flipped house! Or new build. Yikes, I see how they throw those babies together. Nope! My last two houses have been houses with no deferred maintenance. People who loved their homes but circumstances meant a move.

[@andrearace1168]

This was super helpful! I really appreciate how many topics they covered and the depth of it. I think it would have been helpful to explain some of the terminology so that it would be easier for everyone to understand. I don't think electrolysis and galvanization are typical household words.

[@monicalifornia_]

This was really helpful. I love looking at houses and I didn’t know much of this stuff. (Although, if seller didn’t let me do a home inspection, I would run)

[@STEVE-lk2ft]

Also cast iron sewer piping under a concrete slab!

[@jimmills4530]

Key step with inspection: do NOT let your real estate broker choose the inspector. They are too likely to choose someone who won’t get in the way of closing the deal. Some inspectors make too much money from local broker referrals to ignore those desires for a trouble-free deal. Find your own licensed inspector. And of course, don’t rely on inspections paid for by the seller. Those inspections can have useful information, but you need to have your own inspector on the case.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Any installed solar panels should be looked at very carefully, usually opens a can of worms unless it's full paid without any liens on the home and the equipment is still relatively new. That will be rare since almost all of it will either be financed (lien with foreclosure clause that you will assume on purchase of the home) or leased with contractual service charges whether you like it or not.

[@rhymereason3449]

This may sound weird, but I would always slyly check the condition of a home owners cars if possible... if they're in horrible shape or look like garbage dumps on wheels that would be a BIG red flag for me to look even closer at the condition of the home... if they won't talk care of their cars it probably goes for their homes as well...

[@arlissnd420]

This might be the best episode ever for first time buyers !!!! Please liste!m!!!!

[@rl5579]

The first thing on my list is how does the house look from the outside? I'll park out front on my own (so nobody will 'prepare' the house) just to look at it Does it look like the owners cared for it? Are the downspouts out, or is water soaking into the foundation? Is there any peeling paint? How does the roof covering look? Caulking around the windows? Sagging deck? Splintered wood? Broken concrete? Bad landscaping? Just to get a general feel for it.

[@Cassandra-..-]

Here in the Pacific Northwest, a separate water damage inspection is really helpful. We are old, so we won’t buy without an inspection.

[@dragline7287]

As a young guy who bought and old house these videos help motivate me that i can fix everything.

[@stevenvicino8687]

My house was built during the American civil war. Everyday brings new challenges (that means more work). Thank God I have an apartment maintenance background. This channel makes me feel like I've got a friend with me.

[@DanielWSonntag]

Selling my house right now. It's a project. I priced it 200k below renovated price. No major structural problems.

[@ronzombie6541]

Where are you located?

[@andrewk-majordochomerepair6014]

Always love listening to this group of wonderful craftsman to gain further insight that I've often used to help others as a fairly skilled home renovator, much to the education from the TOH crew and other trades people over several decades.

[@VisionsTruth]

bought a flip house my options were limited. The craftsmanship was not the greatest , materials were new but of lower quality, at least the roof was newer and high quality.

[@Teddybearsandkittys]

Absolutely! And drama free to boot😳 sold

[@ELDTAdventures-tp9jy]

All things being equal, do the kitchen first before the other rooms. It's hard to make food and sand the walls at the same time . . .

[@markh.6687]

Watch out for bad remodels/renovations. Ask the seller for copies of permits and receipts to find out if the work was inspected, who did the work, when it was actually done (some selling agent think "recent" is 5+ years ago), and WHAT was done. I've seen homes for sale with code violations in the photos; if you see that, run away, because the rest of the work is likely just as bad.

[@mattluongo7763]

Parking is one thing people often over look, especially when buying on a cul-de-sac with an HOA. They get real excited about how much they like the house they forget about parking until the first time they try to throw a party.

[@bugwar5545]

'HOA'. Lost me at that nightmare.

[@WakandaBabe]

HOA? Run screaming.

[@2nickles647]

The area next to your property is not yours. Nor is the area they park. It's their parking area. Tough shyt if you throw a party and your buddies vehicle gets towed.

[@robertbowman4675]

Good points. As for solar, some insurace will charge more and it damages the sheeting and they never support the added weight. Ive watched this show since I was a kid. Great show, smart guys. Thank yall!!

[@gwolf8707]

After having owned several homes in an area where settling is a problem I learned to look at the roofline. It was the first thing I looked at when we found our present home. Otherwise the home was predictably dated. We made an offer on the spot.

[@mrniceguy423]

I need to replace my old galvanized pipes. Good news is almost all plumbing is in the exposed basement ceiling so easy to get to. I'm not sold on PEX being safe for drinking/showering. What chemicals will be leached into the water? I know it will be more expensive, but maybe copper is the way to go. Any advice?

[@maddierosemusic]

PEX A. Not B. Do it yourself. All this copper they sell now is the product of recycled and I don't trust it. Plus Pex is way faster, and very few connections.

[@2nickles647]

Compare the cost. Get an estimate on both. See which one fits with what you need and want.

[@MaliqiBomit]

I’m surprised nobody mentioned signs of termite activity. My home inspector completely missed that and it has been a nightmare for me. If you see termite stakes around the property know that there are or at some point there were termites in that house and you won’t know the extent of the damage until you start opening walls. Another indicator is if you see termite tubes in the basement or if the current owner painted some exposed plywood or floor joists which seems pointless to paint. They were trying to hide the damage. Still can’t believe my good for nothing home inspector never made mention of these termite indicators in the report.

[@genoaoak]

Number 1 deal breaker for me- HOA. Other things can be fixed, that cannot be fixed.

[@StuG-pr9tf]

there are plenty of Home Inspector videos on you tube to watch to help you almost do your own inspection. If ya have an electrician or plumber who is a family member / friend bring them along when you first look at the house

[@J26-e6g]

You need to make sure it is in an insurable location and not in a flood plane, no amount of old contractors can fix that.

[@KJSvitko]

Large roof over hangs are beautiful and protect the doors, windows and siding from rain and moisture damage. Water is the enemy of buildings. Architects and home builders need to bring back large roof over hangs

[@BS.-.-]

In 2011 I bought my house and didnt do a home inspection because I knew it was all crap. Foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, roof and windows...all total crap and I'm still fixing it today. I should have just bull dozed it down. But I'm still 250% gain of value.

[@4215_]

All great comments--- thank you, everyone! As a soon-to-be first-time home buyer, this provides so much useful, and necessary, information. It's almost as if one would ask, "how could you afford *not* to spend a few extra $$ to have the sewer line inspection, or whatever else checked out. Peace of mind is priceless. And, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[@sidney4329]

Is it important to pay the inspector yourself? Instead of waiting for the house to sell, tell the inspector you'll pay immediately. And go along as they do it. Should make a difference.

[@CaesarDarias]

A stucco exterior is a major red flag. Most contractors in New Jersey claim to do work they don’t have knowledge about or training. Few contractors know how to properly install stucco. Even if they do know, most will cut corners. The result is a very short life span, cracking and water leaks. And most warranties consist of nine-and-half pages explaining what is not covered, and half-a-page listing what is covered.

[@colleenkochman9656]

check out plumbing equipment rating plate that tells you age of equipment for how soon it will need replacement. Read fine print if solar heating on roof. Knob and tube wiring in fuse box will all need to be removed....costly job. Chimney leaning from house.

[@txshah78]

Good advice from the experts. Always spend the little money to get an inspection and fix any issues as soon as you move into the house.

[@walterulasinksi7031]

Even in a bidding war, especially with an older home, but newer ones are not exempt, any pressure to waive an inspection is a big red flag. As is a finished basement. Anytime renovations have been performed, there is the possibility that mistakes were covered over. So be prepared to negotiate downward until a full inspection can be performed by reputable, insurance covered inspectors, or licensed contractors to ascertain the actual conditions. As most of this group have experienced, it is easy to cover over structural problems caused by improper techniques used by various trades. Multiple electrical connection boxes in basements, plumbing being cut through joists at improper locations, general site topography as well as landscaping,etc. even something as simple as pulling a heating register off a floor to inspect the ductwork for dust buildup.

[@adambartlett2780]

Thank you guys for making the video and all of them! My family and I thought we had found our dream home but just in my personal inspection we found out the house needed smoke abatement (thanks for that video as well), had serious problems with the foundation, the garage was leaning, and there was significant rotting in the floor of two areas of the home where either a pipe had burst or something had been dripping on the floor. The combination of all those things made us run away even though it was an otherwise gorgeous home in our dream neighborhood.

[@johnsciara9418]

When the one person talked about repairing a chimney, and finding bricks to match, my thought is instead of finding bricks to match, what if you used bricks that don't match in an artistic fashion. First, creating a line where you start the new bricks, and then perhaps making a decorative pattern for the rest of the bricks. Could save on some cost of trying to match the bricks

[@leafan101]

Last couple houses I have bought have been easy to inspect. Since the plan for both of them was to rip everything out to the studs, it didn't matter how terrible the plumbing, electrical, insulation, or systems were. Makes it super easy when you only have to inspect the roof, walls, and foundation. Of course, when ripping it out, you come face to face with just how horrifically bad some of the work was (or at least, the condition of it after decades and decades of use).

[@kperry5000]

termite damage, moisture and asbestos can all be extremely expensive to fix