“Buyer Beware!” is a motto that should not be taken lightly when looking for a new home. It goes without saying that purchasing a new home is one of the biggest decision and investment someone can make. The housing market has seen a dramatic shift over the last few years. Some houses have been foreclosed on and left untouched for months. It’s easy for a home to acquire damage if it is not properly maintained. This makes a home inspection before a purchase critical. Even if a house has not been foreclosed, it’s strongly recommended to have a home inspection before making a final decision.

A home inspector’s checklist of the home includes:

• Foundation
• Floors
• Construction of Walls
• Ceilings
• Roof

Some issues need to be fixed right away before moving in, while others can be put off for some time after you have settled in the house. For example, a home inspector may suggest replacing your windows to improve the overall efficiency of the home. Window replacement can be put off and done at a later date without any serious consequences other than higher energy bills.

However, if a licensed inspector finds mold in your walls, this needs to be addressed sooner than later. Not only can mold damage the integrity of the home’s construction, mold can degrade the air quality of your home and cause serious health problems. High exposure to mold can be associated with allergic reactions, asthma, eye irritation, sinus congestion, and other respiratory complications. Homeowners living with mold are at a much higher risk for respiratory infections and bronchitis.

Once the home is inspected, you can make an educated decision if the house is still worth purchasing. If the home inspector only notices cosmetic damages, it may still be a good deal and can be fixed by a handyman after you’ve moved in. However, Serious damages that require immediate attention can quickly turn a good deal into a nightmare, costing more time and money than you may have anticipated – “Buyer Beware!”