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What should a home buyer expect from a winter home inspection?

Home inspections in winter can present unique challenges and opportunities for home buyers. Here's what you should keep in mind- 

There are specific challenges for home buyers during the colder months of the year. 

Snow or Ice Coverage

 Roofs, decks, and exterior features may be obscured, making it harder to assess their condition. Buyers might need to rely on seller disclosures or request photos from other seasons.    

Frozen Ground 

Grading and drainage issues may not be evident. For example, poor water drainage might only become obvious during spring thaw.  

Heating Systems  

Winter is a great time to test the heating system under real operating conditions, but HVAC systems designed for both heating and cooling (like heat pumps) may not allow for proper testing of the cooling function.

Winter home inspections can offer valuable insights not found during home inspections in warmer months

Drafts and Insulation Issues  

  Cold weather makes it easier to find  drafts, insufficient insulation, and heating system inefficiencies.  

Window and Door Seals 

Condensation or frost buildup can indicate poor insulation or seal problems.  

Winter-Specific Maintenance

Inspecting snow and ice management tools (like gutters, roof designs for snow load, or proximity of trees) is crucial for cold climates.  

Tips for Buyers  

Hire an experienced inspector 

An experienced communicative home inspector is valuable in the home buying process. A home inspection in winter could identify issues, like drafts and water intrusion especially when there is snow on the ground.

Ask if the inspector is available for a return visit

Some inspectors offer to return in spring to check areas that were inaccessible in winter.  

A good inspector offers winter maintenance advice 

Discuss with the inspector how the property’s features (driveways, roofs, gutters) fare in cold weather and snow conditions.  

Check the basement and crawlspaces  

Look for signs of past water intrusion or damage, as these areas might be more vulnerable to issues in winter months.  

Ask the seller for maintenance records on the home 

Records for items like the heating system, roof, and gutters could indicate the seller prepared for the winter months. 

Glenn Grutta, the owner of Vector Home Inspections in Massachusetts talks with Victoria Ray Henderson about winter home inspections.

Glenn offers advice to home buyers on what to expect during a winter home inspection. In addition, Glenn offers winter maintenance tips for home owners.

:33 One of the biggest challenges to doing a home inspection in winter is getting to the property to do the inspection

:52 when snow is on the ground, how do you evaluate the perimeter of the home?

1:20 start with the the interior of the house to keep the property neater

2:00 snow on the roof limits the visual but there are clues

2:15 lines on the roof indicate heat loss in the home

2:45 the lines you see on the roof are the actual rafters

This indicates the need for better insulation

3:13 icicles and ice dams on a house

3:38 ice dams are often associated with water in the house but that’s not the entire story

4:15 in the attic, look at the nails in the roof for signs of heat loss

4:40 in the winter the inspector spends more time in the attic so evaluate the roof

5:00 newer homes have better insulation than old houses and less likely to have ice dams

6:08 heat cables, what are they?

7:13 advice for home owners in the winter

7:50 look for pipes exposed to the weather

8:03 what to do with water pickets

8:30 plumbing on exterior walls, what to do

9:07 home ownership is doing visual maintenance

9:45 look for clues while doing an exterior walkthrough

10:04 most homes are not graded properly

You want a positive grade to the dirt

11:03 remember, water is your enemy as a home owner or home buyer

11:39 create your own history in a home

12:30 weather patterns have changed and there is more water sitting on properties which can cause issues for the home.  

12:50 sit with a house before major remodeling projects

14:00 winter time is an opportunity to check the windows

14:32 make a list of your concerns and don’t be afraid to ask questions

15:03 as a home buyer, who inspects the house is your decision. Choose a home inspector who communicates well

15:45 interview your home inspector

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How can we help?

The exclusive buyer agents at HomeBuyer Brokerage specialize in serving home buyers. Please reach out with questions at info@homebuyerbrokerage.com.