Home inspector: Look closely before you buy

Longtime inspector provides tips for checking out a new home

Houses, especially new houses, are not perfect. Just ask David Stoffer.

In his 20 years of inspecting homes in Lawrence, he has seen many problems, ranging from bad drainage to incorrect wirings.

If you decide not to use a home inspector, here is a checklist from David Stoffer of some things that you should look for and the questions that you should ask:Outside the home:Is there any rotting or damage?Have the owners finished up painting the entire house?Roof:Are there broken rafters?Is there roof and attic ventilation?Is there any insulation in the ceiling?Doors/Windows:Is there proper operation? Does it open and close normally?Is there a lot of settlement on one side?Appliances:Do the appliances work properly? (Does the dishwasher run through its cycles? Can the microwave heat hot water in a minute? Do the burners work?)Is there any rust?Lights:Do all of the lights turn off and on?

“I did a home two days ago and it had defective shingles and this house had never been lived in,” Stoffer said.

That type of hidden defect is why it is so important for potential homebuyers to thoroughly inspect homes.

Although homebuyers can inspect houses themselves and aren’t required to hire a house inspector, Stoffer does not suggest it.

“People today do not know a lot about maintenance and what they need to do on a home,” he said. “People my age and younger didn’t learn about home maintenance from their parents. How confident would you be to look at your furnace?”

When Stoffer inspects a house, he says he spends about two and half hours looking at everything from the doors, to the roof, to electrical systems.

“I’ll open the main panel box and I’ll look for improper wiring,” Stoffer said. “With the furnace and air, I’ll check to see if they have been serviced and taken care of. Are they operating?”

However, Stoffer does not worry too much about cosmetic problems unless he feels it could be a hazard.

“Normally worn carpets and paint are things that can be taken care of,” he said. “But I would make a comment if there was a tripping hazard from a worn carpet.”

Once Stoffer is done with his inspection, he gives the report to the potential homebuyers and they get to decide what needs to be fixed.

“Just because I say something is wrong doesn’t mean that it has to be fixed,” he said. “The inspection gives (buyers) the information that they need to help them make an informed decision.”