Looking for a home is often a very overwhelming experience, but when you’re spending a ton of money on a mortgage, you want to make sure you do your due diligence. This will be the biggest purchase you make, so don’t skimp on quality home inspections. Here are 14 essential things to look for when purchasing a home (that your general inspection may miss).
1) Is the Water Safe?
Get the water tested. This is especially important if you’re on a well. Often, a local company would be best as they’ll know what contaminants or toxins to look for in the area. Knowing what contaminants, minerals, or chemicals may be in the water can help you get the appropriate filters or treatments if needed.
2) Is there Mold in the Home?
Get a mold inspection. This is very important and most people don’t do this. Knowing if there is mold in the home could save you thousands in remediation and healthcare costs down the road. This inspection would be separate from the general whole-house inspection.
Read 7 Tips to Find a Certified Mold Inspector
3) Check the Air Quality.
Get an air quality test. Indoor environmental professionals are well versed in the health implications of poor indoor air quality. This is a great place to start in your search for a knowledgable mold inspector. This is important to do whether you live in a rural or urban area.
4) Has there been any previous water damage?
Look for any signs of previous water damage. Have an inspector do infrared testing and use a moisture meter for areas of wetness or condensation (or buy your own tools and do some sleuthing and DIY assessments). This would include testing under all the sinks, in the top corners under the sink cabinets, in the shower, bath, basement, crawlspace, garage, behind the fridge, under dishwashers and washing machines, and anywhere water could have possibly leaked in the past.
5) How old is the roof, and what condition is it in?
Always pay attention to the roof. If water has come in through the roof this could be a huge problem. It’s always helpful if the previous owners have paperwork they can give you with roof installation dates, warranties, etc.
6) Check the Grading.
Is the water and moisture going toward your house? Is there a drain installed already, so water isn’t pouring in towards the foundation?
7) Check the Gutters.
Is water from the gutters being effectively directed away from the foundation of the home? You don’t want water going toward the foundation. It can be a very expensive fix and can lead to mold problems.
8) Is there drywall in the garage or basement where the walls are underground?
It’s ideal to not have drywall on walls that are below grade. It is popular for people to finish their basements but it’s actually better to leave them unfinished, as dampness and dark places are opportunistic areas for mold to grow and drywall is the food needed to feed the mold.
It can be ok to paint the concrete walls to seal them and prevent moisture from coming in, as long as there isn’t anything hiding underneath. But this is also a controversial topic. If the basement is finished, you’ll want to do a very thorough assessment. Also, trust your nose. If there is a musty smell, there is likely mold lurking somewhere even though you may not be able to see it.
9) Is there Radon in the air?
Get a Radon test. Test during the winter in the basement with all the windows closed. Radon can increase your risk for lung cancer. From what I’ve read, it’s better to hire a professional than to do the DIY versions available at the big box stores.
10) Is there a Cell Tower within 1/4 mile of the home?
Here is a link to a website (www.antennasearch.com) to find out if there is a cell tower close to your home (closer than 1/4 mile is too close and can have serious health implications, such as cancer. See the links at the end of the article to learn more from the Environmental Health Trust).
11) EMF testing.
Use an EMF meter to test for EMFs in the home. (The TriField EMF Meter Model TF2 is the one that I use and like, and it is very easy to use). This is even better than just looking if there is a cell tower nearby. It is possible that there may be a cell tower nearby that you can’t see, and it’s also possible that there is one nearby but the signal is being pointed in a different direction, and not at your house.
So, it’s best to bring a meter to test the home yourself, especially the areas you’ll be spending the most time in. Yes, your WiFi and cell phone are like mini-cell towers, and there are simple ways to reduce your EMF exposure. If you want to get a professional EMF inspection of your home, here is where you would find a professional.
12) Detached vs. Attached garage
It’s ideal to have a detached garage, so vehicle exhaust fumes stay out of the house. Although this is inconvenient in the winter for those up north, it is healthier.
13) Overhanging Trees and Branches
Overhanging trees and branches can bring in unwanted critters. Make sure the area close to and above the house is clear. This is also for fire and storm safety.
14) Check for gas leaks.
You can buy an inexpensive tool to check for propane or natural gas leaks yourself (I bought the EG Propane and Natural Gas Leak Detector, it is inexpensive and works well). This is very important for your health, and saves money on your energy bill.
Some home inspectors are amazing and will check a lot of these boxes, but others won’t. If you feel like an inspector didn’t do a good enough job the first time around, feel free to spend the money and get a second opinion. It’s also a good idea to be present in the home when they are doing their inspection. I did this with all the homes we previously purchased. You are a paying customer so don’t see yourself as an inconvenience. Every time I watched or hung around while they were inspecting, I learned something new.
I hope these 14 essential things to look for when purchasing a home will help you find a healthy home. Happy house hunting!
Links & Resources:
1) Simple Ways to Reduce Your EMF exposure – https://ehtrust.org/educate-yourself/ten-steps-to-safe-tech/
2) How to Find an Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist – https://buildingbiologyinstitute.org/find-an-expert/certified-consultants/electromagnetic-radiation-specialists/
3) Find an Air Quality Professional – https://iseai.org/find-a-professional/#iep
4) Online Water Testing – https://mytapscore.com
5) Cell Tower and Antenna Search – www.antennasearch.com
6) Book to Learn More on EMFs – The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMFs: How to Fix Our Stupid Use of Technology by Nicolas Pineault
(*I am not a professional home inspector, this article is for informational purposes only.)
