If you’re going to make such a huge investment in a new home, the small price of precaution is worth it. The moral of the story is to have a good inspection. These buyers were attracted by a price. They didn’t have a proper inspection of the home before purchasing.
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 signing paperwork or jumping into a new home. Too many people spend more time shopping for a car than they do on a home—a much larger and more permanent investment.
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