Home buyers beware

I recently started doing some remodeling work on a job that involved replacing stucco with board and baton wood siding. To properly do this we had to tear off the sheathing to put in blocking so that the siding was nailed to solid wood framing throughout. When I tore out a wall under a deck I discovered a lot of water damage. This load bearing wall was completely rotted out! It was time to investigate. I went upstairs to try to find the problem and what I found was an awning installed by the previous owner that was bolted to the wall but not sealed. This was a perfect place for water to penetrate, and it did, causing a lot of damage. As I continued the demolition process, I found further problems in the construction of the home. Improper installation of the insulation caused condensation in the walls and led to mildew and deterioration of the wall sheathing. I also found improper framing in the window openings which put load stresses on the window unit itself. This was just the beginning of the problems this unaware homeowner is now forced to deal with.
If you are in the market for a new home, always hire a home inspector before you buy. In the case of this home, a home inspector would have found many of these issues, saving the homeowners money and heartache. A home inspector evaluates structural issues, mechanical and electrical systems in the home. It is also a good idea to have your potential home inspected by an energy rater as well as a healthy built rater. These inspectors can determine energy loss in the home, detect unseen moisture and test indoor air quality. The money spent on these evaluations could save you 3 fold down the road.