9 Things That Fail a Home Inspection
- Roof Issues
- Hazardous Materials
- Rotting Wood
- HVAC Problems
- Electrical Wiring Issues
- Issues With the Foundation
- Plumbing Issues
- Water Damage and Mold
- Pest Infestation
1. Roof Issues
The most common problems to fail a home inspection are issues with the structure or materials of the roof. If the roof is older and hasn't been well maintained, you might have a bad outcome during the home inspection. If it is leaking or unsafe, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
2. Hazardous Materials
The presence of hazardous materials in your house can also make you fail a home inspection. The most common issue in older homes is asbestos, which can be present in many parts of your home. Other concerns include radon, mold, and lead-based paint.
3. Rotting Wood
Another common issue that comes up during home inspections is rotting wood. The most common cause is a termite infestation, which is easy to remedy, but it could also be due to other causes including poor humidity levels in the home or leaks.
4. HVAC Problems
The home inspector will also look at your home's HVAC system. If it isn't running properly it could result in a bad home inspection, and you will need to have it maintained. In the worst cases, the HVAC unit might even need to be replaced, but that's rare.
5. Electrical Wiring Issues
Another thing that can fail a home inspection is safety issues with your electrical wiring. These are typically related to outdated wiring, missing smoke detectors, unsafe outlets, and older electrical panels that are not up to the standards of the National Electric Code. For example, old knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring can be hazardous and may not meet current building codes, which can lead to failing a home inspection.
6. Issues With the Foundation
Issues with your house's foundation can also fail a home inspection. While you might not expect to have issues with your foundation if the house is stable, home inspectors will look at every little detail. If your foundation has cracks or if there are leaks near the foundation, you might have a problem as it could become structurally unsound.
7. Plumbing Issues
Home inspectors can find numerous problems with plumbing that could lead to a bad home inspection. The most serious issues are illegal piping, rusty pipes, and broken pipes. These issues need to be fixed and can be expensive. Other less serious problems include clogged and leaky pipes.
8. Water Damage and Mold
Water damage can also cause your house to fail a home inspection, especially if there is visible mold. Stains, soft spots, or discoloration on walls, ceilings, or floors can indicate past or present water damage. Persistent dampness or musty odors may suggest ongoing issues with water damage and mold. Mold in attics, basements, or crawl spaces is particularly concerning.
9. Pest Infestation
Evidence of termite damage or other wood-destroying insects can compromise the structural integrity of the home, leading to a failed home inspection. Signs of rodent or other pest infestation, such as droppings, chewed wires, or nesting materials, are also red flags.
Who Repairs Things That Fail a Home Inspection?
The above are listed as problems that could be considered things that fail a home inspection primarily because they can lead to serious safety issues or hazardous conditions. They may also cause problems because repairing them can be expensive and time-consuming. Sometimes, a seller won’t want to deal with them and will simply sell the house as-is.
It’s not uncommon to discover a couple of these problems during an inspection, and typically speaking, a seller should be prepared to foot the bill to repair these conditions and ensure the sale goes through. However, if several problems arise, the home is deemed seriously dangerous, or the repairs are estimated to be extremely pricey, a buyer should be prepared to back out of the sale.
Things That Fail a Home Inspection Bottom Line
A home inspection can reveal a range of issues, from minor repairs to major structural problems. While not all issues will cause a home to "fail" an inspection outright, significant problems can impact the home's safety, habitability, and value. Remember that home inspectors aren’t trying to get you to fail a home inspection. They’re simply there to report the conditions of the home, list any hazards, and indicate what repairs might be necessary.
Buyers should work closely with a qualified inspector and consider the cost and feasibility of necessary repairs when deciding whether to proceed with the purchase. Sellers can benefit from addressing known issues before listing their home to facilitate a smoother transaction.
Consider the inspection report a list of things that a buyer should be aware of that aren’t working well, may pose a safety risk, or could be hazardous. That being said, some findings could indicate a big red flag to potential buyers and need to be fixed for the sale to go through.
If you have found a house you’re set on buying, but the home inspection reveals too many negative caveats, it’s important to understand your rights and whether or not it might be best to walk away. It’s wise for both buyers and sellers to know what to look out for when an inspection report comes back, and what repairs might be a major red flag.
Things That Fail a Home Inspection FAQs
1. Can I Back Out of Buying a House After an Inspection?
In most cases, you will be able to back out of a purchase contract after a home inspection. This is generally done through a contingency clause that will give how much time you have and for what reasons you can back out of buying the house.
2. Home Inspection Contingency Clause
A contingency is a specific condition or action in a real estate contract that must be met in order for that contract to be considered binding. Because home inspection results are such a common reason for buyers to get cold feet about a house, there is usually a specific home inspection contingency clause written into the purchase agreement that allows buyers to walk away after a bad home inspection.
If issues come up during a home inspection that the seller refuses to take care of, or that pose too great of a red flag to the buyer, they will usually have the right to back out of the sale without any legal consequences. During a well-conducted real estate transaction, there should be a home inspection contingency included in the signed purchase agreement. This is designed to allow the buyer to back out of the sale should the inspection “fail.” But buyer beware, there’s usually a set amount of time that you have to decide whether or not you want to go through to closing. So don’t rest on your laurels or take your time deciding. Otherwise, you could be legally bound to the contract.
3. How long after a home inspection does a buyer have to back out?
The safest way to cover all your bases and make sure that you back out of a sale in time is to read your contract thoroughly or contact your real estate agent. Your purchase agreement should clearly state how long you have to complete a home inspection, and if you don’t like what you see, how long you then have to back out of the sale. The law can vary from state to state, but typically a buyer has 10 days to decide what they want to do.
For the buyer, there’s more good news. If you back out according to the home inspection contingency and within the legally required amount of time, your earnest money should be safe. Earnest money is designed to indicate to a seller that a buyer is serious about purchasing their home, but if something suspicious crops up during a home inspection, it’s usually within the buyer’s right to take their earnest money and go.
The purchase agreement is designed to protect buyers and seller’s in cases where certain conditions or actions involved in a sale are not met. Since red flags discovered on a home inspection are not uncommon, the home inspection contingency clause written into your contract is there to protect you from being legally bound to buying a home with potentially dangerous or hazardous conditions.
Remember, even if you think you’ve found your dream house, it’s important to know when to walk away. Pay close attention to the home inspection report, and to the repairs that the seller is willing to cover. Going through with the sale of a house that has safety concerns or a bucketload of expensive repairs to be made is not always a good idea, and could land you in the deep end later down the line.