- Are you planning to buy a home? Before you do, you'll want to check out these common mistakes home buyers make. Stay tuned. While this is an extremely exciting time in anyone's life, the home buying process is not without pitfalls and potential risks. Here are some tips to avoid making some common mistakes during the process that could cost you BIG. Don't try to navigate the process alone. The home buying process can be extremely complicated, involving a variety of legal and regulatory requirements and timelines, financial obligations, disclosure requirements, and an understanding of building construction and zoning limitations. A prepared home buyer should have a number of experts to rely on in order to avoid unwittingly making mistakes during the process. Some experts you should have in your corner include a Real Estate Agent. Your Real Estate Agent helps you navigate the entire process from beginning to end. Not only do they help you find properties on the market that you may have an interest in, but they arrange for walkthroughs and showings, negotiate on your behalf with the seller or their Real Estate Agent, and assist with the closing. Their input and support throughout the process makes them an invaluable member of "the home buying team". A Local Mortgage Lender. Whether you're dealing with a local bank or credit union, your Mortgage Lender is going to help you through the pre-approval process so that you're ready to start looking at houses, and later, through the closing and funding process. While there are national lenders as well, it's strongly recommended to work with a Local Mortgage Lender that will be available to answer your questions and support you throughout the process. A Home Inspector. You love those high ceilings and that open kitchen, but did you notice the lifted shingles on the roof, damp basement, or termite damage? That's what a Home Inspector is there for. One of the most common mistakes home buyers make is purchasing a home without a home inspection, as the home buyers often lack the expertise, and critical eye, needed to look for potential issues prior to the purchase. Just imagine the potential cost of issues that you may not discover until after you move in. That's why you need a Home Inspector. Your local Disaster Blaster. When your home inspector discovers an issue, you'll need a knowledgeable contractor to explain what will be necessary to resolve the issue and what the cost of that work may be. This is important to ensure that you're well-informed prior to the purchase, and that you're able to negotiate the sale price with the seller based on the work that is necessary. Ideally, your contractor should be qualified in a variety of specialty issues that are commonly discovered by the home inspector, including Mold, Water Damage, Basement Waterproofing, Asbestos, and Radon. Luckily, your local Disaster Blaster is here to help with many issues that your home inspector may discover. Don't cheap out on the home inspection. A home inspection is where you find out what issues may exist in your home and what may be required to address them. While the results of a home inspection should not be a deal breaker, it should be your opportunity to have an unbiased eye look at your dream home and point out what they see. Home Inspectors offer a variety of options with your home inspection, and we recommend electing for as many as make sense for your property. Some common inspection options include: Radon. With one in every 15 homes across the country estimated to contain a Radon issue. Radon being a radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It's highly recommended to have a Home Inspector perform a Radon test. The likelihood of Radon issues can vary widely from one area of the country to another with some areas having a very high potential for Radon problems in homes. Even if the home already has a Radon System, testing is recommended every two years to ensure the system doesn't require any adjustments. Mold. A common issue found in basements and attics. Mold problems are estimated to exist in 70% of homes in the United States. Since signs of Mold aren't always easy to identify, it's a good idea to have your Home Inspector look for these issues during their inspection. The roof. We're sure you've spent a lot of time picturing yourself in the home, but who is going to look at the roof? The answer is your Home Inspector. During their inspection, they will actually climb up on the roof and look for signs of storm damage, lifted or cupped shingles, flashing issues, and leaks. The heating and air conditioning system. Depending on when you are purchasing your home, the heating or air conditioning may not be on, so during the inspection, your Home Inspector will test these systems to make sure that they are in good working order. Fireplaces and Wood Stoves. Issues with fireplaces and wood stoves are not uncommon, so it's a good idea to have these systems fully inspected by your Home Inspector. They will not only look for signs of damage or failure, but they'll look for potential risks of fire as well. This is an important inspection to ensure that fireplaces and wood stoves are safe to operate. Wood destroying organism and termites. Damage from pests like termites can be difficult to spot. During the home inspection, your Home Inspector will look for signs of current and past infestation that could indicate weakened wood structures. Don't forget about costs after closing. It's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of buying a home, and we don't blame you, but it's important to keep in mind and budget for additional costs that you will have after closing, such as moving costs and remodeling expenses. As you go through the home buying process, you should keep a list of costs and additional steps that you may need to complete after closing to ensure that nothing is missed. A few common after closing costs include: Remodels and updates. We're sure there are a few things you would like to change with the house, but those projects will be an additional cost. While not all projects need to be tackled right away, any upgrades that you want to check off the list early on should be considered in your after closing budget. This allows you to plan for everything from painting to kitchen renovations. New furniture or appliances. Will you need new kitchen appliances? Will you need new furniture that better fits the style of the home? These costs can add up quickly, so it's always a good idea to keep these additional costs in mind as you get closer to closing, especially if you may need to prioritize certain purchases over others. Property Insurance. Don't forget that you'll need Property Insurance to protect your new home and all of the contents and possessions you're keeping in it. Speak to your Local Insurance Agent for a quote and guidance on what coverages you'll need. Moving costs. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, you're likely to have some moving costs. Even if you plan on doing a lot of the moving yourself, it's a good idea to budget some moving expense to cover costs like moving truck rental, packing supplies, etc. Buying a new home should be exciting. It's a new chapter of your life with nothing but opportunities ahead of you. Fortunately, by soliciting the advice and assistance of industry experts like Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Specialists, Home Inspectors, and Contractors, you're able to leverage their expertise to ensure you are prepared for your next adventure. Would you like to take control of your future and build a business you can be proud of? We can help. As a Disaster Blaster Franchise Partner, our industry experts will help you unlock the potential of the $210 billion restoration industry. Disaster Blaster offers the most revenue streams in the restoration industry, training and support from industry experts, a unique model primed for your success, and more! Call our franchise team today to learn more at 242-1042 or visit us on the web at www.DisasterBlasterFranchise.com. Stay tuned for some frequently asked questions, but while you're here, don't forget to Like and Subscribe. What are some of the most common things Home Inspectors discover during their inspections? While this will differ by a variety of factors, including the age and condition of the home, some issues are more common than others. Here are some of the most common issues that Home Inspectors discover during their inspections and how you can address them. Water leaks and water damage. Home Inspectors report that water damage and water leaks are among the most common problems they discovered during a home inspection. The reason water leaks can fly under the radar is because they often occur inside walls, above ceilings, under floors, or behind appliances, so a homeowner may not notice them right away. Your Home Inspector is trained to spot these issues and they know where to look. If the Home Inspector discovers water damage during their inspection, that isn't necessarily cause for alarm. A qualified mitigation & restoration company like Disaster Blaster will be able to address the damage and dry the property safely and effectively. If water leaks are not addressed promptly, you could end up with the second item on our list... Mold. While Mold issues are most often discovered in attics and basements during a home inspection, mold issues can occur anywhere inside the home, including kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. During the inspection, the Home Inspector will look for any signs of potential mold growth and may recommend mold testing if they feel it is recommended. While mold issues can be scary, a mold issue now doesn't mean that you'll have mold problems in the future. A qualified mold remediation professional like Disaster Blaster will be able to effectively address the mold issue and make recommendations to address the underlying cause of the moisture issue as well, so that the mold problem doesn't come back. Often. Mold issues are caused by high humidity, which is often relatively easy to resolve. Radon. A radioactive gas that you can't see, taste, or smell, Radon is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and could be in a home without you even realizing it. That's why, depending on the prevalence of Radon issues in your area, many Home Inspectors will recommend Radon testing as part of the inspection. If the Radon test comes back high and an issue needs to be addressed, a qualified Radon Mitigation Professional like Disaster Blaster is able to evaluate the needs of your property and install a Radon Mitigation System in most cases in less than a day. It's important to note that Radon levels under your home can fluctuate over time, so it's recommended to test your home every couple of years to determine if adjustments in the system may be necessary. Electrical issues. During the home inspection, the Home Inspector will look at the electrical system to determine if everything was installed properly and to identify any areas of concern. Improper or out of date wiring is common and may necessitate some electrical upgrades. Your Home Inspector will detail any electrical issues they discover as well as their severity. Any electrical concerns detailed in the inspection report should be inspected by a licensed electrician to determine if they are safety issues, as well as to make recommendations to address them properly. Roof damage. The Home Inspector should inspect the roof for signs of age, storm damage, or weakness, and will bring any issues they do discover to your attention. Roofing damage can occur for a variety of reasons, from hail and wind to fallen trees or tree branches to water damage and age, so the steps to rectify the problem will depend on the damage that was discovered. In most cases, it will be recommended to have a qualified roofing contractor inspect the roof to determine what may be necessary to address these issues properly. Insects and pests. Often an add-on to the home inspection. The Home Inspector can look for signs of pests or insect infestation as well. This can include mice and rodents, bats, insects like ants and termites, and more. We recommend discussing this with your Home Inspector to determine if it makes sense to you, but depending on the infestation, the cost of repairs can be significant. Termite damage, for instance, could necessitate the replacement of structural components, decking, or siding. If an infestation is discovered, you will need two different contractors, a pest control company and a repair contractor able to repair any damage the pests caused.