People often ask me what I usually find during a home inspection.
After performing more than 8,000 NJ home inspections since 2002, I have learned that houses are surprisingly predictable. As a NJ home inspector, I often find many of the same defects regardless of the age, size, style, or price of the home.
That does not mean the house is bad.
In fact, most of the homes I inspect are perfectly reasonable homes to purchase. The purpose of a home inspection is not to find a perfect house. The purpose is to understand the condition of the home and identify the issues that deserve attention.
None of these issues automatically make a home a bad purchase. Many are common maintenance items. The key is understanding which defects are minor and which have the potential to become expensive problems later.
Here are 15 problems I find during almost every NJ home inspection.
1. Poor Exterior Grading
If I had to pick one issue that contributes to more problems than almost any other, it would be poor drainage around the home.
Ideally, the soil around the foundation should slope away from the structure so rainwater naturally drains away. Unfortunately, I frequently find areas where the grading slopes toward the home or where water collects near the foundation after a storm.
When water is allowed to collect near the house, it can contribute to basement moisture, crawlspace humidity, mold growth, wood deterioration, and in some cases foundation movement. Many homeowners focus on moisture problems inside the home when the actual source of the problem begins outside.
2. Downspouts That Discharge Too Close to the House
This is one of the most common comments I write during NJ home inspections.
Gutters collect thousands of gallons of rainwater every year. If that water is discharged right next to the foundation, it can eventually find its way into places you do not want it.
I routinely find downspouts that terminate only a few inches from the house. In many cases, a simple extension can significantly improve drainage and reduce the amount of water collecting near the foundation. Small drainage improvements can prevent large repair bills.
3. Water Stains
During a typical home inspection, water stains are among the most common findings.
I find them on ceilings, walls, and in attics all the time.
Some stains are old. Some are active. Some are impossible to fully explain because the original leak occurred years ago.
Whenever I see a stain, I try to determine whether moisture is still present and what may have caused the condition. A water stain is often a clue that helps tell the story of the house.
Water always gets my attention because water damage can become expensive quickly.
4. Missing GFCI Protection
Ground fault protection is designed to reduce the risk of electrical shock.
Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, laundry rooms, and exterior receptacles are common locations where this protection should be present.
Many older homes were built before modern safety requirements existed. As a result, I frequently find missing or defective GFCI protection during NJ home inspections.
Fortunately, many upgrades are relatively straightforward and can significantly improve electrical safety.
5. Bathroom Exhaust Fan Problems
Bathrooms generate a tremendous amount of moisture.
That moisture needs to be discharged to the exterior of the home.
As a New Jersey Home Inspector I frequently find bathroom exhaust fans venting into attics, soffits, garages, and other concealed spaces. The fan may operate normally, but if the moisture is being discharged into the wrong area, problems can develop over time.
Excess moisture can contribute to mold growth, wood deterioration, insulation damage, and elevated humidity levels.
6. HVAC Maintenance Issues
Many heating and cooling systems simply suffer from a lack of routine maintenance.
Dirty filters, clogged condensate drains, dirty coils, neglected humidifiers, and overdue servicing are common findings during home inspections.
The good news is that many HVAC problems can be prevented through routine maintenance. A well-maintained system generally operates more efficiently, lasts longer, and is less likely to fail during the hottest or coldest days of the year.
7. Missing Caulk and Sealant
A simple bead of caulk can prevent a surprising amount of water damage.
Missing or deteriorated sealant is commonly found around tubs, showers, sinks, windows, doors, siding penetrations, and exterior trim.
Once water gets behind these surfaces, damage can occur to drywall, trim, framing, and finishes. Many expensive repairs begin with something as simple as neglected caulk.
8. Deck Defects
Deck-related concerns are among the most common safety issues identified during NJ home inspections.
Because decks are exposed to weather year-round, they require regular maintenance and periodic repairs.
Common defects include loose railings, improper fasteners, missing flashing, deteriorated structural components, and unsafe stairs.
Many deck defects are hidden from view and may not be obvious to the homeowner until a detailed home inspection is performed.
9. Window Problems
Windows are constantly exposed to weather and daily use.
Failed insulated glass seals, broken balances, damaged screens, deteriorated caulk, and operational issues are all common findings.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn how expensive window repairs and replacements can become, particularly when multiple windows are affected.
10. Chimney Defects
As a NJ home inspector, I find chimney defects in homes of all ages throughout northern New Jersey.
Rain, snow, ice, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles slowly wear away at masonry materials.
I commonly find cracked chimney crowns, deteriorated mortar joints, missing caps, flashing defects, and rusting metal components. Many chimney problems start small but become expensive when water is allowed to enter the structure year after year.
11. Dryer Vent Problems
Improper dryer vent installations are extremely common.
I frequently find damaged vents, excessively long vent runs, disconnected vent pipes, and vents clogged with lint.
These conditions can reduce dryer efficiency, increase drying times, shorten appliance life, and increase the risk of a fire.
12. Attic Ventilation and Insulation Problems
The attic often tells the story of the house.
I frequently find inadequate insulation, blocked soffit vents, poor ventilation, bathroom fans venting into the attic, and evidence of previous moisture intrusion.
Many homeowners never enter their attic, yet some of the most important clues about the condition of a home can be found there.
13. Basement and Crawlspace Moisture
Moisture-related issues are among the most common concerns identified during a home inspection.
I routinely find water stains, elevated humidity levels, musty odors, mold-like growth, and conditions that promote moisture accumulation.
Many of the moisture issues I find inside a home can ultimately be traced back to exterior drainage problems. Water management matters.
14. Rodent Activity
Rodent activity is surprisingly common.
I frequently find droppings, nesting materials, damaged insulation, and evidence of previous or active infestations in attics, crawlspaces, garages, and basements.
Rodents are not just a nuisance. They can damage wiring, contaminate insulation, and create conditions that require costly cleanup.
15. Deferred Maintenance
This may be the most common finding of all.
Most defects do not occur overnight. Small maintenance items that are ignored for years eventually become larger and more expensive repairs.
A loose handrail becomes a safety concern.
Missing caulk becomes water damage.
Poor drainage becomes a wet basement.
A small repair becomes a large repair.
Small problems have a way of growing over time.
Final Thoughts
After more than 8,000 NJ home inspections, I can tell you that finding defects during a home inspection is completely normal.
The presence of defects does not automatically make a home a bad purchase.
The value of a professional home inspection is understanding which issues are minor maintenance items, which repairs should be planned for, and which concerns deserve immediate attention.
Every NJ home inspection is different, but many of the same defects appear again and again.
Every house has defects.
The goal is not to find a perfect house.
The goal is to understand the house you are buying.
John Martino is the owner of LookSmart Home Inspections and a Board-Certified Master Inspector. Since 2002, he has performed more than 8,000 NJ home inspections throughout northern New Jersey. If you are looking for an experienced NJ home inspector, LookSmart Home Inspections provides detailed home inspections, radon testing, termite inspections, mold testing, sewer scope inspections, and other inspection services for homebuyers throughout New Jersey.