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Watch the videos and learn from the pros
Salespeople, appraisers, potential buyers, government employees, students and others often are asked to inspect a house and give an opinion about its condition. The best way to do this is to look for specific problems rather than just checking the house in an unorganized, random manner.
This list details the 34 most common problems found in houses and how to identify them. There also are some suggested solutions. Many problems can be corrected easily at low cost, while other problems are so costly or difficult to correct that the occupant must be prepared to accept the unpleasantness of living with them.
1. TERMITES
The termite has been around longer than man has. Termites attack wood structures above the ground. They do not like light, so they prefer wood that touches the ground that can be reached directly from their subterranean nests. Termites also will travel to aboveground wood through cracks in the masonry foundation or, as a last resort, through shelter tubes the insects build on the exterior surface.
Termites look substantially different from flying ants with which they often are confused. Termites have wings similar in shape and size, patterned with many small veins, and without stigmae. The middle of the body is wide, and the antennae are not "elbowed." Ants have un-patterned varied size wings with stigmae. The midsections of their bodies are very narrow, and their antennae are "elbowed."
It is not at all difficult to inspect for termites. The best way to check for termites might be to hire a professional. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Veterans Administration (VA) and other lending institutions require professional termite inspections in many areas of the country. Many reliable exterminators guarantee their work for five years.
Termites work fairly quickly. If they are caught in the early stages of infestation, they may be stopped for a few hundred dollars.
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Diligent
Inspection Services