HOME-BUYER PLAGUES Although a home inspector passed on Justin’s and Kate’s home, he missed some problems. For instance, the previous homeowner supposedly installed and tested the sump pump in the basement and it failed shortly after moving in, flooding the basement. Then the sunroom was filled with termites, costing the couple $2,000 in repairs. After the termites were eradicated, they discovered the sunroom was entirely covered in mold and there was no caulking around the windows to keep the moisture out. A better home inspector would have been able to see the signs of termites and mold. The sump pump should have also been checked by the inspector, but it could have failed after the inspection. Sump pumps can burn out, lose power, become clogged or misaligned, or malfunction in a variety of other ways. It’s valuable to have a warning device installed that will signal water buildup. These alarms can alert homeowners or neighbors of flooding so that it can be resolved before water damage occurs. Be careful. Be smart. These horror stories are real and happen every day. Do your homework before jumping into a new home. Too many of us spend more time investigating a car before making a purchase than we do spending tens of thousands more dollars and decades longer paying on a home. You have time to educate yourself, and I hope that this little chapter has helped you move forward in the right direction. • • •
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