leading downstairs. The bouncy bathroom floor had been wet under the linoleum and about three inches up two of the walls. The flickering light switches were warning them of the outdated wiring which had to be replaced. In the end, their $10,000 savings only helped to give them a bit of consolation when they paid $27,000 for all of the remodeling!
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. And there was no caulking around the windows to keep the moisture out which created mold. 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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