Lynchburg VA Homes with Basements

Lynchburg VA Homes with Basement

5 Things to Look For in a Home With a Basement Foundation

At some point in our lives, all of us end up in the real estate market. Whether you are buying, selling, or both, don’t overlook the basement. It might not be the most exciting or valuable feature in the house, but it is still a part of the package. Basement waterproofing issues can undermine the sale no matter what side of the contract you are on.

For Buyers

If you are a first-time home buyer, it’s easy to get confused, overwhelmed, and plain distracted while deciding on a house. There are so many things to worry about like the size of the master bath, the backyard space, walk-in closets and storage space; no wonder basements often get ignored. I strongly recommend you to carefully inspect the basement before settling on the house. Here are a few things to look for:

-  Stuffiness and musty smell. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it might turn into one later on. Musty smell indicates presence of mold, which, in its turn, is an indicator of high humidity. You can get rid of mold, but it will keep coming back if the humidity issue (caused by leak or condensation) is not eliminated. You might think stuffiness is a norm for basements, but that’s not true. Basements are stuffy when they are not properly ventilated, so if you decide to turn it into a living space, you might have to invest in a ventilation system.

-  Water damage. Peeling paint and wallpaper, rust, stained walls and floors, discoloration – these are all signs of water damage. Examine the basement yourself or hire a professional waterproofer or house inspector.

-  Basement appliances. Check the sump pump and water heater. Make sure they were installed correctly and work properly without leaking, because the replacement might be costly.

-   Repairs. Take a note of any spots that look like they’ve been patched. It might be a good thing if previous homeowners took care of all the waterproofing issues before they left, but it never hurts to know what the issues were.

-  Crawlspace. If the house has a crawlspace check it as well. Note its condition and moisture levels. You might as well check for infestations, because unlike the former owners, such animals as snakes, raccoons, and possums won’t be moving out.

Sometimes, when you buy a house with a newly finished basement, it’s hard to tell if it has any water problems. Going house hunting during a big storm to see the sump pump in action is not always possible either. As your Realtor to refer you to a competent inspector who can perform a thorough inspection to make sure your future home doesn’t have any hidden basement issues.