Super dangerous signs that could kill a home buy

You might miss some of these signs when viewing a home, but beware, they could mean a costly mistake. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, know that encountering these problems could be a deal-breaker.

Termites are a particularly troublesome pest, because they can cause serious damage to your home, and are notoriously difficult to get rid of. If you notice any of these wood-chewing creatures, or signs of their activities, it’s important to deal with them immediately!

Check out these exterminator nightmares that will make you cringe.

A sewer scan is done by a company that specialises in this service. A technician accesses the main sewer cleanout hole and feeds a fibre-optic camera through the sewer line that runs from the house to the city sewer at the street. This sewer line belongs to the property owner and any problems with this sewer line are the financial responsibility of the owner. If there are problems with the sewer line that routine sewer cleaning won’t solve, the repairs will be expensive.

Most sewer scans on old houses reveal tree roots finding their way into the sewer lines and slowing things down, but no major problems. It’s the situations where major problems occur that make it worth having a sewer scan done. Sewer scans typically cost less than $200, and are usually scheduled at the same time as the home inspection.

Big electrical items like overloaded electrical panels, aluminium branch circuit wiring, unsafe knob and tube wiring, unprotected wires, open spliced wiring and any immediate hazards are frequently negotiated items.

Watch for these 10 silent signs your house has a major electrical problem.

Most properties undergo some form of settling overtime and there can be some minor cracks as a result, so it’s important to determine if this is a deal-breaker to the sale. Before proceeding, it’s advisable to arrange an inspection by an engineer so you can ascertain the severity of the problem and what the expected costs of reparation would be… this could potentially result in the negotiation of a lower sale price, so it’s well worth the investment.

Tiny holes in shingles are sneaky because they can cause rot and other damage for years before you notice the obvious signs of a leak. You might find holes left over from satellite dish or antenna mounting brackets or just about anything. And exposed, misplaced roofing nails should be pulled and the holes patched. Small holes are simple to fix, but the fix isn’t to inject caulk in the hole… you’ll need to fix it with flashing.

Don’t miss our guide to roofing.

Mould is something that usually gives buyers cause for concern and sellers will typically acquiescence to the repair. There are liability issues for a home seller who sells a home where mould is discovered later so it behooves a home seller to nip the problem in the bud.

Here are 10 tips for dealing with mould.

Any kind of clog, leaking line or supply line issue is typically a negotiated repair. But if the plumbing issues start to mount, it could signal the end of a potential sale.

Here are 30 secrets your plumber won’t tell you.

A chimney in serious disrepair often gets negotiated during a home sale. It’s a site that can lead to a host of other potential problems.

Decks are a massive life safety issue in a house and if one is improperly built it can become a major headache when trying to sell.

Check out this DIY deck renovation.