Two Important Factors a Home Inspector Notices In a Bathroom

 A homebuyer always looks at the style and upgrades of a bathroom when touring a listing. A home inspector looks for two things, safety and water. A home inspector always has the worst scenario in mind and the bathroom tends to be where one would occur. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a study that showed in 2008 emergency department doctors treated 234,094 non-fatal injuries that occurred in the bathroom.

“There are so many ways to be injured: slipping on wet tiles, scalding water that is too hot, and electrical shock from improper wiring are all common occurences,” Welmoed Sisson, a certified home inspector says.

The water coming from the faucets in a bathroom should never go over 120 degrees out of the sink and 106 degrees in the bathtub. Other issues that will be noted are cracked tiles with sharp edges, loose toilets, poor clearance, loose grab bars, small shower doors and non-tempered shower door glass. Another potential hazard can be the electrical outlets. A home inspector will make sure there are GFCis located in the bathrooms. A ground fault circuit interrupter will protect against electrical shocks.

Water can cause a damp environment which is not a good sign in a bathroom. This can cause thousands of dollars in repairs. A home inspector will look for gaps between tiles and missing caulk around bathroom fixtures. They will also look underneath the sink to make sure the drain is plumbed correctly.

“Many people assume that a bathroom is waterproof-it’s not. It’s water-resistant. Water is persistent and will find any available opening to flow into. Any tiny gap in caulking or grout can lead to massive amounts of hidden damage to the framing inside the walls,” she says.

Another thing is to make sure the base of the toilet is secure and there is no softening of the floor. The softening of the floor can indicate water damage. They also want to make sure the toilet does not shimmy.

“It should not move at all. Any movement could indicate a weakening of the seal at the floor, which can lead to leaks,” Sisson states.

Remember if you are looking for a new home, make sure to not just look at the aesthetics in the bathrooms, but the caulk and grout condition as well. Home inspectors warn that buyers get distracted by things such as trendy light fixtures and upgrades.

“They should get up close to the walls and floors, looking for signs of poor maintenance,” Simmons suggests.

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Steps to Take When Buying A House

 The best way to start your house search is to work with a local sales agent who can help you navigate the home buying process. Here is a list of the steps you and your realtor should take when going through the homebuying process.

1. Make sure you’re ready

You not only need to be financially read, but also emotionally ready when it comes to purchasing a home.  It is said that buying a house is one of the most stressful things to do when it comes to life events.  With that being said, you are going to be at your home for a good amount of time so there are questions to ask yourself.  What are your goals for the next few years?  Are you going to be purchasing a home with a partner, if so, are you all in agreement on how much you want to spend?  Is there a chance that you might need to relocate for work?  Are you thinking about starting a family?  These are big life questions that can help you determine if this is the right time to purchase a home.

2. Get your finances in order

Again this is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime.   Before you take the plunge, make sure you are 100% financially stable.   A great resource is a home affordability calculator.  With this tool, you can help determine your budget by listing your income, debts, location and down payment amount.  You can compare how much your mortgage would be versus how much income you bring in.  This will help you keep your housing hunting to a home you can realistically afford.   Along with this, check your credit score too.  A high credit score will allow you to get a lower interest rate.

3. Make a plan for the down payment

After you figure out what you can afford, then you want to determine your down payment. The norm is to put down 20% but nowadays many potential home buyers are opting to put down less.  The downfall to this is you will have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) when you put less than 20% down.   Note that certain loans require a minimum downpayment.  There are many programs out there that can assist with a downpayment.

4. Create a wish list

List some things you would love to have in your new home (a wish list). Things to think about when creating a list are, detached or attached unit, ideal location and move-in ready or fixer-upper.  If you have a big family and pets, your best choice would be a single-family home with a yard.  You will want to choose a neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle.  If you love the outdoors, you should look for a neighborhood with tons of greenspace and walking trails.  If you are good with your hands, then a fixer-upper could be right for you.

5. Find the right mortgage

There are several different types of mortgages.  A conventional loan offers a low minimum down payment but is strict with qualifications.  An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration and is usually easier to qualify for but you will more than likely have to have mortgage insurance.  A VA loan is backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is only for active or former service members. A jumbo loan is used when the home that is being purchased is more than standard lending limits.  A renovation loan will allow you to combine the costs of your home improvements with the home loan.  Depending on your situation and your credit score there is a loan that is right for you.

6. Find the right Realtor

Once you have your mortgage pre-approval and you know what you are looking for, it is time to find an agent who can help you with your search.  You will want to interview several agents to find one that fits you.  Professionals in the industry say that it is a good idea to at least interview three different agents.   Word of mouth is a way to find an agent.

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Is the Artificial Real Estate Market Over?

 Stephanie Vitacco, a real estate broker with Equity Union, says that the artificial housing market is over. During the past two years there has been an artificial market, and we have gotten spoiled by this. The bidding wars are over and buyers should “get picky again.”

As the interest rates begin to rise, the homebuying market is slowing down. The market is currently transforming and buyers are slowly getting buying power back. “We were used to getting 10, 20 to 30 offers on a property. Now we’re back to the point where condition matters a whole lot more as well as the floor plan. Buyers are being picky – and they can be picky”, Vitacco said.

According to Redfin this summer a listing spent 19 days on the market which was one day longer than the summer of 2021. “Buyers, who earlier this year had to race to beat the competition, can now take their time touring homes and perhaps even wait to see if sellers drop their price, ” says Daryl Fairweather, Redfin chief economist.

Redfin shows that home prices are falling and less buyers are out there competing for a home. Sellers are now having to lower their home prices and the listings that were selling above asking price decreased. Many professionals in the industry are telling their sellers to price their homes realistically from the start so they will not sit on the market. “The market slowdown is giving buyers more opportunities to negotiate, especially with sellers whose homes have been on the market for a while, ” says Jessica Nelson, a South Carolina real estate agent with Redfin.

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