Selling Columbia SC homes isn't cut and dry these days. With fewer numbers of homes on the market, buyers are easily scared off if they encounter problems that may negatively impact resale value. Among the many negative issues that need to be addressed in order to make a house more marketable in the future are foundation problems. They rank near the top of the list.
If you're among those "very few" currently selling Columbia SC homes right now, you should have already made sure that the property is competitive with similar properties in the area. A little dampness in the basement or a small drywall crack are flaws that a potential buyer may be willing to overlook, but a cracked or bowed foundation wall will be a major red flag. Since the sale of most Columbia SC homes are contingent on a satisfactory home inspection, foundation problems are very likely to stop a home sale dead in its tracks.
Some Foundation Problems Are Obvious
Some foundation problems are obvious. Columbia SC homes with cracks, leaning chimneys and bowing basement walls, for example. But there are other symptoms that may signal a settling or shifting foundation. Windows or doors can be racked by a shifting foundation and become difficult to open and close. Drywall cracks that extend from the corners of windows and doors are another telltale sign.
As surprising as it seems, newer Columbia SC homes may be just as likely to have foundation problems as older ones.
Home Improvements vs. Home Repairs
In today's economy, it's understandable for homeowners to put off home improvements until they feel more financially secure. But it's important to make a distinction between basic "feel-good" improvements (like painting a room or installing shelving) and repairs that correct safety issues or prevent a problem from getting worse. Fixing damaged foundations in Columbia SC homes definitely falls into the "must-do" category.
It's risky to put off fixing a damaged foundation. If a crack starts to enlarge or a wall starts to buckle, you're seeing a failure that is probably going to get worse. The longer you wait, the more extensive the problem becomes and the more expensive the repair is going to be.
Specialty Contractors For Foundation Problems
The good news about foundation problems is that most of them can be corrected, as long as the contractor has the training, tools and materials to do so. Many local remodeling contractors only temporarily fix cosmetic problems, but are unable to permanently solve the problem. Do your homework if you have serious foundation problems and be sure to hire an expert who is trained in doing the job right.
For other things to be aware of regarding home inspections, check out our other articles pertaining to Columbia SC Home Inspections under the Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right.
You found the perfect Columbia SC home, your offer was accepted by the seller, and now it is Columbia SC home inspection time!
Home inspections are very important during the home buying process. Your certified home inspector is quite skilled at discovering underlying problems with a structure.
If at all possible, make sure you are present with the inspector when he or she is going over the house. Inspectors are great at explaining all of the little features of the house, especially when it comes to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Learn Where Things Are During Your Columbia SC Home Inspection
In addition to any problems your inspector may discover, he or she will also be able to show you where your water shut off valves are located. Knowing where your shut off valves are located is extremely important in case one of your plumbing fixtures, or pipes, suddenly sprouts a leak. For example, if your dishwasher ever decides to start flooding your floor you will know exactly where to go, and what to do, to turn the water off and minimize the water damage.
If your inspector does find a problem with the home you are buying, they usually have several ideas on how to correct the situation. If there are only a few problems and they are relatively minor, you may elect to correct the problems yourself after you move in. If your inspector finds a major problem, you may need to discuss this at length with your real estate agent. Regardless of whether any items are minor or major, your home inspector will give you a detailed report of all of the problems, and potential problems, they discovered during the home inspection process.
What Happens After Your Columbia SC Home Inspection
A major problem with the home is usually addressed in a repair addendum. The repair addendum is simply a list of defects that were discovered during the inspection process. The addendum is written up by the buyers' real estate agent and signed by the buyer. The repair addendum is then delivered to the seller's real estate agent who delivers and discusses the addendum with the seller.
At this point, the buyer waits for a brief time, usually a day or two, while the seller considers whether to make the requested repairs, refuse to make the requested repairs, or offer money off of the price of the Columbia SC home, if the buyer will accept the house as it is. In most cases you can come to some type of arrangement with the seller regarding any problems you discovered in the house.
Occasionally, there is some sort of problem with the house that seems overwhelming to both the buyer and the seller. If no mutually agreeable compromise can be reached, the buyer usually has the option of walking away from the house and ending the contract of sale. Hopefully, this does not happen to you.
Buying a Columbia SC house is an exciting adventure and a huge financial investment. Unless there is some underlying circumstance that prevents it, always get a home inspection of any improved real estate you are considering buying. The price of a home inspection is miniscule when compared to the price of a new roof, or some other major home repair. Do yourself a favor, don't skip the home inspection.
For more Columbia SC home inspection tips, visit the Columbia SC Home Inspections section of our website to your right.
Take our advice: If you want to avoid nightmares and unknown problems, get a Columbia SC home inspection before you buy any home.
From the 15-foot boa constrictor holed up in the wall, to a house ready to collapse in a stiff wind, to electrical wiring that bursts into flames at the flip of a switch, Columbia SC home inspections have turned up about everything. And those horror stories could be yours if you don't have the home you're considering inspected before you buy.
Getting A Columbia SC Home Inspection Could Save You Thousands!
While some buyers might balk because of the extra cost, spending a few hundred dollars to get a Columbia SC home inspection could save you thousands in the long run.
In most home-purchase offers, it's customary to include a clause making the transaction contingent on the findings of a home inspection. If the inspection reveals real problems, what happens next depends on the contract.
The seller may cover repair costs; the buyer and seller might split costs; the seller might credit the buyer money to make repairs; or the seller might reduce the price. If the buyer and seller can't come to terms, the buyer can walk away from the agreement.
As any Columbia SC home inspector will point out, what you don't know CAN hurt you.
A typical Columbia SC home inspection takes several hours and looks at things such as the heating and air-conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems and the roof. Specialty inspectors can check for mold, radon gas and energy efficiency. If repairs are needed, hire a licensed contractor. That way, there's a paper trail that the work has been done. And you should have the home reinspected to make sure the repairs were done properly.
When working with us, we ALWAYS make any offer contingent on a satisfactory home inspection.
Mold is a major health risk. We all know this. But in this special ABC News report, the health risk to babies from what is known as "bleeding lungs" should be a major concern for anyone thinking of buying a Columbia SC home.
Be advised, getting a home inspection before you buy has always been strongly recommended. But normal home inspections may not reveal mold if it is hidden.
As you saw in the video, mold can be behind wallboard, and not even visible to an inspector's eye.
Most home inspectors will look for moisture, which is the root cause of mold, but even moisture behind walls cannot always be detected. Make sure your home inspector is experienced in looking for hidden moisture.
If in doubt, and you think the Columbia SC home you're considering may have had moisture issues in the past, have it inspected by a trained mold professional who knows what to look for, and where. When it comes to mold and your family's health, you can never be too cautious.
One of the many reasons for getting a Columbia SC home inspection on any property you’re considering is to help discover mold.
If you have a thorough home inspector who will carefully inspect attics, basements, and crawl spaces, he or she should notice any signs of real or potential mold. However, a Columbia SC home inspection will not include anything other than pointing out the potential for mold, or that mold is evident.
What To Do If Your Columbia SC Home Inspection Reveals Mold
If your Columbia SC home inspection indicates the presence of mold, you should discuss the mold problem with your inspector. Your inspector should be able to help you decide whether to invest further in a professional mold inspection or not. Professional mold inspections can, and do, vary in cost. These additional inspections could range from under $100 to several hundred dollars, depending on the size of the home, and whether the home has a basement or crawl space.
Mold can trigger a lot of things related to your health, so it is advisable to get a second professional inspection if your Columbia SC home inspection reveals mold, or the possibility of mold.
If you’re considering purchasing a property that has potential mold, or if mold has definitely been discovered, you may want to move on to the next house on your list. But if you’ve already purchased a home before you discover mold, there are some things you need to do immediately.
Your Columbia SC home inspection report or your professional mold inspection report will tell you where the mold is located. A professional mold expert can tell you what steps to take to control and destroy the problem. The key issue is to stop the moisture problem causing the source of the mold.
Mold is one of the biggest health issues affecting individuals in their home. So if your Columbia SC home inspection even hints that mold may be present, it might be wise to keep moving and not take on that burden, unless a professional can assure you that the problem is not severe and can be contained and eliminated.
For more information on Columbia SC home inspection articles, visit our Columbia SC Home Inspection Category under our Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to the right. For more information on mold, visit the EPA website.