Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

If you’ve been thinking about investing in one of the many Michigan foreclosures , there are lots of great bargains to be had.  However, make sure the home you buy doesn’t have major problems.  Before you spend the money on a professional home inspector, look at these common problem areas:

Ceilings
Usually, ceilings are made of plaster and plasterboard.  While looking at the ceilings, keep an eye out for these issues:

• Cracks, holes or uneven areas
• Dampness or mold growth
• Crumbling areas
• Cracked or bulging areas

Walls
In general, walls are made of bonding plaster or plasterboard.  You can look for the same problems as you would on ceilings, with the addition of a few more:

• Loose skirting board
• Soft, damp or rotten
• Discolored decorations, blisters or other faults such as peeling wallpaper
• Dangerous materials such as asbestos or gloss-painted polystyrene tiles.  Asbestos can be hard to identify; if you think you have asbestos, get professional help.

Floors
No matter what material the floor is made of in Michigan foreclosures, the structural supports are generally made of the same types of materials as other homes.  Here are a few things to look for:

• Uneven flooring
• Movement, cracking, lifting or dampness
• Loose floor covering, such as raised boards or lifted tiles
• Large gaps between floorboards
• Cracked or missing tiles

Plumbing
The kitchen and the bathroom may hold most of the plumbing, but some will go through the rest of the house as well.  Look at the plumbing for:

• Rust or leaks
• Hammering or knocking pipes
• Lead pipes
• Improperly supported water tanks

Wiring
Faulty or old wiring can be a major hazard in any potential home.  Although some wiring issues aren’t easy to spot, there are signs:

• Rubber cables or single-flex wiring twisted together with exposed insulation
• Blackened or failing power sockets
• Brittle or bare wiring
• Plugs that get hot when used

No home inspection should be considered finished until a licensed home inspector has come to the Michigan foreclosures that you’re interested in.  By using this guide, you’ll only have to call an inspector once – to get a clean bill of health on your new real estate.

Want to get a great buy on a foreclosed property in southeast Michigan?  I specialize in this area and would be happy to guide you through the process of purchasing a foreclosed property.  And, as a licensed real estate broker and lawyer, I can help you save money while keeping you from making a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Give me a call today at 248-514-2640 or email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com now!

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640