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.
“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.”