More than 25 percent of prospective home buyers want a garage large enough to hold three cars. Paying top-dollar for a home only to uncover costly defects after closing can be heartbreaking, if not financially disastrous. That s why home buyers can profit from knowing which types of defects most commonly plague resale homes. A new survey conducted by HouseMaster, a home inspection franchisor company, reveals the most common defects based on the age of resale houses. Real estate agents, sellers and even competing home buyers can pressure buyers into making a rushed or ill-considered decision to purchase a home, according to Mike Kuhn, chief home inspector of HouseMaster.
Emotion is a significant factor in a purchase decision.
The most frequently occurring home defects, according to the survey, are found in the home s roofing, electrical system, plumbing system, central cooling and heating, insulation and structure. Water seepage also is a common problem. The study also lists the estimated cost of repair to these systems and defects. HouseMaster has franchise offices in 375 markets in the United States and Canada. The principal payment on a mortgage increases as a borrower pays off the loan, making it a form of savings.