Inspect That Kokomo Foreclosure
Before You Make an Offer
By
Attention Kokomo Buyers…
Inspect, Inspect and Inspect Again!
With the number of foreclosures for sale in the Kokomo area, you’ve probably at least thought about buying one of these “bargain” properties. Before you decide to buy a foreclosure property (or any other home), make sure the house doesn’t have major problems. Before you make an offer and spend money on a home inspector, do your own inspection of the property.
Check for these problems in “used and abused” properties:
Ceilings
Usually, ceilings are made of plaster and drywall. When checking the ceilings, keep an eye out for these issues:
•Cracks, holes or uneven areas
•Stains, dampness or mold
•Crumbling areas
•Cracked or bulging areas
Walls
In general, walls are made of bonding plaster or drywall. Look for the same problems as you would for ceilings, with the addition of a few more:
•Loose baseboards
•Softness, dampness or rot
•Discoloration, blisters or other faults such as peeling wallpaper
Floors
No matter what floor covering (carpet, tile, wood, etc) you find in a house, the structural supports of homes are generally similar. Here are a few things to look for:
•Uneven floor
•Movement, cracking, lifting or dampness
•Loose floor covering, such as raised boards or lifted tiles
•Large gaps between floorboards
•Cracked or missing tiles
Plumbing
The kitchen and the bathroom usually hold most of the plumbing, but pipes go between the walls and under floors to other parts of the house as well. Spot potential plumbing issues by looking for:
•Rust or leaks
•Stains under sinks
•Hammering or knocking pipes
Wiring
Faulty or old wiring can be a major hazard in any home. Although some wiring problems aren’t easy to spot, there are signs:
•Wiring twisted together with exposed insulation
•Blacken or failing wall sockets
•Brittle or bare wiring
•Plugs that get hot when used
Once you’ve done your own inspection, if you are comfortable with what you find, you are ready to make an offer on the property. Once your offer is accepted, it’s time to hire a licensed home inspector.
By using this guide, hopefully, you’ll only have to call an inspector once – and you won’t have any surprises.
Want to get a great buy on a Kokomo foreclosure? That is my specialty! I would be happy to guide you through this sometimes complicated process. And I know all the great inspectors who can help you fully evaluate the home you choose. Give me a call today at 765-513-0354 or send me an email.
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