Will February surpass January for Santa Cruz, Monterey & the Bay Area? (click on title)

Hidden Home Defects to Watch For

  • No home is flawless, but certain physical problems can be expensive. Watch for:
  • Water leaks; look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.
  • Shifting foundations; look for large cracks along the home's foundation.
  • Drainage; look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home or in the yard.
  • Termites; look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
  • Worn roofs; look for broken or missing copings and buckled shingles as well as water spots on ceilings.
  • Inadequate wiring; look for antiquated fuse boxes, extension cords (indicating insufficient outlets), and outlets without a place to plug in the grounding prong.
  • Plumbing problems; very low water pressure, banging in pipes.