Electrical Expertise
Circuit-breaker boxes with mazes of unordered wires emerging from them indicate a history of slipshod electrical updates. Ask your inspector to investigate.
• Porches, exterior wooden stairs and decks. Walk heavily on them, bouncing a bit as you go. Note any spots that feel soft underfoot. Insofar as you can, examine porches and decks from beneath. Are supporting joists and top lumber solid and free from rot or insect damage? If you discover problems, have a carpenter estimate costs of repair before making an offer on the property. Use those estimates as bargaining points.
• Termite and insect damage. Using a screwdriver or penknife, gently probe wooden exterior walls, paying special attention to areas where they meet the foundation, porches, or other structural members. Check any areas where bushes or plantings touch the structure, since termites and carpenter ants often crawl across plants to gain access to a building. You are looking for soft, spongy wood that indicates infestation. Note: In addition to wanting a property appraisal and an inspector’s report, virtually all banks and mortgage lenders will require you to have a property inspected for termites, carpenter ants, and damage from other insects that are active in your region. That is to your advantage, since the extent of termite damage is difficult for a layperson to determine. Damage that is only slightly visible at foundation level can extend up into a house, reaching structural members. Repairing that kind of damage can cost a great deal of money.
• Garage. If you are inspecting a rental property, does the parking garage offer adequate parking for tenants? If you are inspecting a single or multi-family dwelling, what is the condition of the garage? Inspect roof, walls, and floor for overall condition. If you are buying a home with an external garage, be sure to check its roof, walls, floors, windows, and, if applicable, operation of the electrical door opener.
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