What are common home inspection findings?
Great question! If you’re buying or selling a home, this information is going to open your eyes and send you into your inspection period well informed, so that you know the difference between ‘eh, that’s not a big deal’ and ‘um, that’s definitely not normal’!
If this is your first time here, welcome! My name is Lindsay and I‘m a proud Anthem resident and your local REALTOR® with the Wise Move AZ Team at Realty ONE Group. On this page we have a lot of fun talking about all things Anthem and real estate, and we would love to have you along for the ride! Consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel for new videos every Thursday!
Going ‘Under Contract’ & Inspections
There’s no arguing that going under contract on a house kicks off a flurry of activity, including completing any and all desired inspections. I have attended more home inspections and read more inspection reports than I can count, and over the years I have learned SO much about our homes here in Anthem, Arizona. It’s fascinating!
Homes in Anthem, Arizona
To give you a little background on our homes here in Anthem, the overwhelming majority of our homes were built between 1999-2006, and they range in size from under 1,000 square feet to over 8,000 square feet. We are located in the Sonoran Desert which means our homes are subjected to long periods of extremely high temperatures.
While the homes here vary in size, age, and level of maintenance, it is undeniable that there are commonalities when it comes to home inspection findings, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with you.
10 Most Common Home Inspection Findings in Anthem, Arizona
No matter how beautifully maintained and loved a home is, the inspection is bound to reveal something. In this post, I’m going to be sharing what, from our experience, the top 10 home inspection findings are here, in Anthem, Arizona.
Also, at the end of this post, I will give you access to a copy of our guide: ‘10 Questions to ask a Home Inspector before Hiring them.’ So make sure you stick around until the end, to get the tools to hire the best person for the job.
Alright, so what are the 10 most common home inspection findings here in Anthem, Arizona:
#1: Old Air Conditioners
With the majority of the homes in Anthem being between 15-20 years old, many of the original air conditioners are still functional but they are nearing the end of their useful life. A well-maintained air conditioner can last a very long time, but even the best homeowners can’t make their AC’s last forever, especially in the Arizona heat.
For this reason, we recommend getting an HVAC inspection done in addition to your general inspection. While you can’t ask the Seller to provide a new air conditioner, it is reasonable to ask for them to be in working order.
A couple of weeks ago we did a video on what’s reasonable to ask for following a home inspection, and we address this issue, along with many others, in more detail. If you’d like to check that out, simply click here.
#2: Swiggle Seal & Other Window Issues
Thanks to that desert heat we’re famous for, our windows take a beating. Here in Anthem, it is not uncommon to see issues with the seals on our windows, and particularly on windows that receive direct sunshine. As long as the seal hasn’t broken and there isn’t a build up of moisture in the windows, the window is technically still functional, even if it isn’t pretty.
If the seal has broken, it becomes more of an issue, and it will be recommended that window be replaced. One time, we had an inspection on a home in Anthem Country Club where a golf ball came through a window. Not surprisingly, the inspector recommended that the window be replaced, even though the fresh air was lovely.
#3: Water Damage
Monsoon Season in Arizona is no joke! In fact, we did a video on 5 tips to stay safe during Monsoon Season, so if you’d like to check that out, click here. The truth is, at some point homes are bound to get some water damage, whether it’s from a monsoon, a failed water heater or anything in between.
The key is making sure that the leak has been properly repaired and that any remaining evidence of the leak is purely cosmetic.
#4: Roof Issues
Water damage from monsoon season is often the result of an issue on the roof. Here in Anthem we have tile roofs, and while they last a very long time and are very durable, we do see minor roof issues on the majority of our inspections. Typically it’s something simple like a few cracked tiles, tiles that have slipped out of place, or a mortar pack that has cracked over time.
The good news is these repairs can usually done by a qualified roofer or even a skilled handyman, and are usually not a big deal. Another thing to note, if the home has solar, it is common for some tiles to be damaged during the installation of the panels. Again, they just need to be repaired.
What repairs have you had to make on your home? Do you have firsthand experience with roof issues? Let me know in the comments below.
#5: Failed GFCI’s & Other Minor Electrical Items
Knock on wood, I have yet to have an inspection in Anthem with any major electrical issues. That being said, it is common for there to be a GFCI that needs to be replaced, or other minor adjustments that need to be made in the main electrical panel. GFCI’s are ground fault circuit interrupters and they are designed to reduce the risk of shock in areas where water may be present. Again, the electrical items we typically see can be corrected by an electrician or a skilled handyman.
#6: Trip Hazards
It’s the inspector’s job to note safety hazards on the property. As the homes in Anthem settle, it is common to see trip hazards arise where the driveway meets the sidewalk, or where the sidewalk meets the front door. Depending on what has caused the trip hazard and what the surfaces are made of, this can be a bit trickier to fix, and may require some further investigation.
#7: Settling Cracks
Speaking of settling, it’s also common to have settling cracks in the drywall. Unless the cracks are particularly wide or deep, they are generally nothing to be concerned about. If they bother you, they can be patched or taped, and then painted. The inspector will be able to tell you if any cracks warrant further investigation, but we’ve never had that issue before.
#8 Termites
Have you heard the saying “it’s not if you get termites, but when”? Well, that’s true here in Anthem, too. We always recommend that our clients get a termite inspection. This inspection will tell you if the home has active termites, and if there are conditions conducive to getting termites.
Thankfully, we have subterranean termites here which makes them easier to identify and treat. If the home has termites it needs to be treated by a pest control company. We also recommend keeping a Termite Warranty on your home and renewing annually.
#9: Pool Leaks
If the home has a pool, it is not uncommon for the equipment to have leaks or the finish to be deteriorating. It may be worth having a pool inspection done, particularly if owning a pool is new to you.
#10: Faded Paint
In Anthem, the HOAs do a great job of maintaining the appearance of the neighborhoods. If the exterior paint is faded on your Anthem home, you will get a notice from the HOA informing you that you need to repaint. When buying a home, you will want to look at the condition of the exterior paint, to see if you need to budget for painting in the near future.
So, there you have it! Overall, the homes in Anthem are well built and our most common findings after home inspections are manageable. That being said, we would love to help you navigate the home buying or selling process, including the inspection period.
As promised, if you’d like to download our guide: ’10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector before Hiring Them’, simply click here.
Also, if you want to make sure you’re truly prepared for your inspection period then you’ll want to watch this video about what’s reasonable to ask for after a home inspection, or this video, which explains the BINSR process and gives tips for Buyers, just like you.
Enjoy those and I’ll see YOU next Thursday!
