Living here in Albany, we find a blend of older homes and newer homes. The real estate market right now is hot for sellers and there is limited amounts of inventory this fall.
If people are looking for newer homes, they might have to start considering looking at older homes in different areas based on what is available. When we are talking with a buyer or a seller who is looking to buy or sell a home, we invest heavily with our skill set to do a thorough home inspection to provide them with a detailed report of the priority of issues that need to be addressed.
Older homes obviously will have more problems because they are outdated and typically were not constructed as well. Not to mention the harsh winters we have seen in the past. This definitely takes a toll on how a house holds up here in the Albany area.
Here are some common problems that we find at home inspectors with older homes in the area.
Wet basements are very common and off and come with a mildew odor which you are absolutely cannot hide. A good home inspector in Saratoga Springs will detect mold or mildew smell almost immediately. He will inspect the floors in the walls looking for any white residue that might be found in your basement. It might be a good decision to consider doing a mold assessment to determine if the environment is unsafe for habitation.
Outdated electrical systems are also very common when we are out doing inspections. There might be insufficient electrical systems, electrical panel might not be up to code or might not be able to handle the capacity of all the electrical equipment in the house. They will be able to determine what needs to be replaced and updated.
Older heating and cooling systems also pose problems in older homes. A furnace might only last about 15 to 20 years and many people try to get them to last significantly longer. These tend to be less efficient and use more electricity or gas or even oil if you’re using oil burner.
The last one we thought to mention our leaking roofs which are extremely popular with the kind of weather we get here in Albany. Asphalt shingles typically last around 15 to 20 years and dealing with ice and snow can definitely cause damage to her roof causing further structural damage to the rest of your house if not properly addressed.
If you are considering selling your home you might want to consider investing in a home inspection before you even put on the market. This way you know the issues that need to be addressed and it gives you more leverage to hold to a certain sell price after you have fixed what needs to be addressed.
If you are looking for a great Ballston Spa or Saratoga Springs home inspector who is professional and both affordable, please consider calling Bald Eagle Inspection Services today!