Buying Property That's Weathered A Storm? 4 Warning Signs To Look For Before Signing A Contract
After a major hurricane, many people opt to sell their homes to avoid future storms. In some instances, the selling prices can be substantially lower than the actual value of the homes. If you've decided to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a home in a hurricane zone, there are some building concerns you'll need to be aware of. Even if the home looks to be in pristine condition, it could still be hiding some linger problems associated with hurricane damage. Before you purchase a home that has weathered a storm, here are four defects you should be on the lookout for.
Foundation Damage
Water can actually cause significant damage to a concrete foundation, especially if the foundation has been exposed to the water for an extended period of time, such as happens during a hurricane. Once water has seeped into the pores of the concrete, it can cause rapid decay. When that happens, the entire structural strength of the foundation, and your home, is compromised. Before you purchase a home that's been through a hurricane, be sure to be the foundation inspected.
Mold Growth
This probably goes without say, but it bears repeating. If the home you're looking at has been through a hurricane, you'll need to inspect for mold growth. This is particularly important if the home didn't sustain significant enough damage to require an entire rebuilding. If the home just sustained mild-to-moderate water damage, corners may have been cut during the cleanup effort, leaving behind moisture that could invite significant mold growth. If the home smells musty, or you notice signs of mold growth anywhere in the home, schedule an inspection before making your final decision.
Roofing Damage
During a hurricane, the winds can get quite brutal. It's not uncommon for roofs to sustain significant damage during the storm. Even if the roof looks to be in good shape, it could have still sustained damage that you can't see. The roofing structure could have lifted off the main frame of the home, especially if it was secured with roofing straps. To make sure the roof is still properly secured to the home, you should have it inspected. You should also ensure that the roof is equipped with roofing straps.
Septic Saturation
If the home you're looking at sits on a septic system, you'll need to have it inspected before you agree to a purchase. Even if the home just sustained exterior flooding during the hurricane, the septic system could have sustained saturation damage. That occurs when too much ground water is allowed to soak into the soil above the septic system. Before you decide to purchase the house, you'll need to have a septic company come out and inspect the system for saturation damage.
For more information, contact companies like RE/MAX Inland Empire.