A home inspection is a snapshot in time of a home’s current condition. Homes do not “pass” or “fail” an inspection. A report is created that details what the inspector saw and what the inspector recommends to improve and maintain the property.
Safety is #1. Anything that may harm children or the occupants is called out. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt from faulty building practices or outdated standards. Things like faulty electrical, ungrounded plugs, and improperly built decks can be a life safety issue.
#2 is water and water damage. Water is a home’s worst enemy. If gone unnoticed, water can cause damage to the foundation and lead to issues like mold/mildew/fungus. Water damage can be expensive to fix and I know you’d rather use that money to go on vacation!
Radon gas is a radioactive, colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is naturally occurring in the ground. When we build houses, we dig out a portion of the ground for our basements. This allows the radon gas to enter the building and sometimes build up to high levels. High levels of radon gas can lead to lung cancer and even death. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer only behind cigarettes.
Every building should be tested for radon, especially after renovations have taken place.
I can’t tell you to buy or not buy a house. However, I am confident that after you read the home inspection report, you will have a better understanding of whether the house is right for you!