---
title: 5 Home Inspection Warning Signs to Keep in Mind
description: A professional home inspector can pinpoint problem areas for a potential property and save you headache down the road. Here are five things to look out for.
image: https://info.sdhda.org/hubfs/SDHDA_Blog_HomeInspection_750x375.jpg
---
[](https://www.sdhda.org)
- Programs
- [Homeownership](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership)
- [First-Time Homebuyer](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/first-time-homebuyer)
- [Repeat Homebuyer Program](https://www.sdhda.org//homeownership/repeat-homebuyer-program)
- [Governor's House Program](https://www.sdhda.org//homeownership/governors-house-program)
- [Home Improvement](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/home-improvement)
- [Downpayment Assistance](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/downpayment-assistance)
- [Tools](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/tools)
- [My SDHDA Loan](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/my-sdhda-loan)
- [Lenders](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/lenders)
- [Realtors](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/realtors)
- [Renting](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters)
- [Rental Assistance](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/rental-assistance)
- [Rental Housing Search](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/rental-housing-search)
- [Do I Qualify](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/do-i-qualify)
- [Affordable Rental Housing Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/affordable-rental-housing-frequently-asked-questions)
- [Fair Housing and Your Rights](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/fair-housing-and-your-rights)
- [Tips For Renters](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/tips-for-renters)
- [Legal Services of SD](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/discrimination-complaints)
- [Property Management](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/education-and-training)
- [Education and Training](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/education-and-training)
- [Fair Housing and Legal](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/fair-housing-and-legal)
- [Property Management Resources](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/management-resources)
- [Program Compliance](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/program-compliance)
- [Social Programs](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/)
- [Disaster Relief Funding](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/disaster-relief-funding)
- [Security Deposit Assistance](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/security-deposit-assistance-housing-development)
- [Homeowner Rehabilitation Program](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/homeowner-rehabilitation-program)
- [Emergency Solutions Grants Program](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/emergency-solutions-grants-program)
- [Paint-South Dakota](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/paint-south-dakota)
- [Continuum Of Care](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/continuum-of-care)
- [Section 811 PRA Program](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/section-811-pra-program)
- About
- [Contact Us](https://www.sdhda.org/about/contact-us)
- [Agendas & Minutes](https://www.sdhda.org/about/agendas-minutes)
- [Annual Conference](https://www.sdhda.org/about/annual-conference)
- [Events](https://www.sdhda.org/about/events)
- [Investors](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/liquidity-reports)
- [Liquidity Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/liquidity-reports)
- [Disclosure Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/disclosure-reports)
- [Financial Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/financial-reports)
- [Annual Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/annual-reports)
- [Municipal Advisor Disclosure](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/municipal-advisor-disclosure)
- [Blog](https://blog.sdhda.org/)
- [Contact](https://www.sdhda.org/about/contact-us)
- Search
[Home](https://sdhda.org/) [](https://sdhda.org)
- [Homeownership](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/home-ownership)
- [First-Time Homebuyer](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/first-time-homebuyer)
- [Repeat Homebuyer Program](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/repeat-homebuyer-program)
- [Governor's House Program](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/governors-house-program)
- [Home Improvement](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/home-improvement)
- [Downpayment Assistance](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/downpayment-assistance)
- [Tools](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/tools)
- [My SDHDA Loan](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/my-sdhda-loan)
- [Lenders](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/lenders)
- [Realtors](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/realtors)
- [Renting](https://www.sdhda.org/renting/for-renters)
- [Rental Assistance](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/rental-assistance)
- [Rental Housing Search](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/rental-housing-search)
- [Do I Qualify](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/do-i-qualify)
- [Affordable Rental Housing Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/affordable-rental-housing-frequently-asked-questions)
- [Fair Housing and Your Rights](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/fair-housing-and-your-rights)
- [Tips For Renters](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/tips-for-renters)
- [Legal Services of SD](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters/discrimination-complaints)
- [Housing Development](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-development)
- [Housing Development Resources](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-development-resources)
- [HOME Program](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/home-program)
- [Housing Tax Credits](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-tax-credits)
- [Housing Opportunity Fund](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-opportunity-fund)
- [Housing Trust Fund](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-trust-fund)
- [Housing Development Programs](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/housing-development-programs)
- [Plans, Forms and Resources](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/plans-forms-and-resources)
- [Application Submission](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development/application-submission)
- [Property Management](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/education-and-training)
- [Education and Training](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/education-and-training)
- [Fair Housing and Legal](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/fair-housing-and-legal)
- [Property Management Resources](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/management-resources)
- [Program Compliance](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/program-compliance)
- [Business Partners](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management/business-partners)
- [Social Programs](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/paint-south-dakota)
- [Paint-South Dakota](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/paint-south-dakota)
- [Continuum Of Care](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/continuum-of-care)
- [Emergency Solutions Grants Program](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/emergency-solutions-grants-program)
- [Section 811 PRA Program](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs/section-811-pra-program)
- [About](https://www.sdhda.org/about/about-sdhda-south-dakota-housing-development-authority)
- [About SDHDA](https://www.sdhda.org/about/about-sdhda-south-dakota-housing-development-authority)
- [Disclosure Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/about/disclosure-reports)
- [Investors](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/liquidity-reports)
- [Liquidity Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/liquidity-reports)
- [Financial Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/financial-reports)
- [Annual Reports](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/annual-reports)
- [Municipal Advisor Disclosure](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/municipal-advisor-disclosure)
Your source for expert information on housing in South Dakota
# 5 Home Inspection Warning Signs to Keep in Mind
Home inspections are incredibly important to the homebuying process. [A professional inspector](http://blog.sdhda.org/home-inspections-8-critical-areas-to-look-out-for) can pinpoint problem areas for a potential property and save you headache down the road.
**Here are five things to look out for during [*your *home inspection](http://blog.sdhda.org/the-dos-and-donts-of-home-inspections).**
## Outdated Wiring
Electric wiring that is [outdated](http://blog.sdhda.org/homeowner-emergencies-what-you-need-to-prep-for) or has seen better days can be a fire hazard in your home. If your inspector spots evidence of faulty or aging wiring, it might be worth talking to the property owner about before you sign any paperwork. Updating an old house's wiring can be an expensive undertaking. Have your inspector gauge the lifespan of the wiring and how much of it would need updating in the near-term to help make your buying and negotiating decisions.
## Damaged Insulation
If a house's insulation is damaged or poorly installed or appears to require an upgrade, it can lead to heavy costs down the road. A poorly insulated house means that warm and cool air will have an easier time escaping, potentially raising your electricity and gas bills. Make sure your inspector pays special attention to a home's attic—since heat rises, poorly sealed or insulated attics can leak warm air from your furnace during colder months.
## Property Grading
One thing that your home inspector may be able to spot that you may not have noticed is how your property is graded—namely, how will drainage flow in a heavy rainfall? This is critically important to maintaining a safe and structurally sound home. If the basement shows signs of water damage or flooding, it may be the result of poorly graded surface on the ground level. Make sure your inspector checks for these sorts of warning signs.
## Curled Shingles
It's often hard to tell how much life certain features of a house have left in them. The roof, for example, can be difficult to gauge whether it's time for replacement. If you notice a high number of damaged or curling shingles, it's a sign that the roof will likely need to be redone in the near future. If that's not something built into your budget, make sure to keep that in mind when it comes to buying decisions.
## Old Fixtures
While the length of usefulness of the expensive fixtures in a house can vary greatly, there are general rules of thumb to abide by when it comes to heating and cooling elements. Furnaces that receive regular maintenance (typically on an annual basis) can safely last as long as 20 years. Check for documentation of regular checkups to confirm this in your own potential furnace. Central air conditioning units generally follow the same standards.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1744228/91f149f2-2515-426f-9890-66c64fd7c201)
Topics: [Homeownership](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/homeownership)
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
### Subscribe to Our Housing Newsletter
### Posts by Topic
- [Homeownership (120)](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/homeownership)
- [Latest News (74)](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/latest-news)
- [Renting (45)](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/renting)
- [Property Development (22)](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/property-development)
- [News (18)](https://info.sdhda.org/topic/news)
### Recent Posts
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1744228/3628c32d-c191-4069-a4f1-d2ecc1411498)
- Main Menu
- [About](https://www.sdhda.org/about/about-sdhda-south-dakota-housing-development-authority)
- [Homeownership](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership)
- [Housing Development](https://www.sdhda.org/housing-development)
- [Investors](https://www.sdhda.org/investors/)
- [Lender List](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/first-time-homebuyer/first-time-homebuyer-participating-lender-list)
- [Property Management](https://www.sdhda.org/property-management)
- [Renting](https://www.sdhda.org/for-renters)
- [Social Programs](https://www.sdhda.org/social-programs)
- [Blog](http://blog.sdhda.org/)
- Resource Links
- [sdhousingsearch.com](http://sdhousingsearch.com/)
- [Governor’s House](https://www.sdhda.org/homeownership/governors-house-program)
- [SD HERO - Homebuyer Education](http://sdhomebuyered.org/)
- [Housing for the Homeless](http://www.housingforthehomeless.org/)
# Contact
[P.O. Box 1237, 3060 East Elizabeth Street, Pierre, SD 57501](https://goo.gl/maps/qaN44UEeRXn)
Phone: [605-773-3181](tel:6057733181) Fax: [605-773-5154](fax:+605.773.5154) [info@sdhda.org](mailto:info@sdhda.org)
© 2018 All rights reserved. [](https://epicosity.com/)