Detroit Real Estate

When buying Metro Detroit Real estate it is important to look at the basement.  When looking at Michigan foreclosures it is especially important because they sometimes steal parts of the house.  It is not unusual for furnaces, water heaters, or copper plumbing to be missing.

Here are some items to look for:

• Is there standing water?
• Are there stains on the ceiling tiles?
• Is it copper or galvanized plumbing?
• Is the furnace there?  Has it been updated? Or is it old? 
• What is the electrical panel like?  Is it fuses or electrical breakers?  How many amps is it?  Is there room in the box to add a circuit?
• Is the water heater there?
• Are the basement windows block windows or glass?
• Is the basement walls block or a poured wall?  I believe a poured wall is a better basement.  It is easier to fix cracks and rod holes in a poured concrete wall.
• Is there evidence of water leaks on the wall?  Is paint bubbling or peeling?  A sign of water leakage?  Look at paneling or wood work to see water stains.  Are any woodwork that is warped?  Again a sign of water damage
• Is there mold in the basement?
• Is there a sump pump?
• Has the basement been recently painted?  May be a way of covering up old water stains.
• Are there floor tiles loose and coming up?  Sometimes this is a sign of water leakage
• Does it smell musty or moldy?  If it smells that way it may have mold or water isssues.

 Mold on drywall.

Sometimes basements are drywalled, paneled, or painted that covers up signs of water damage.  Look for other signs like a fan plugged in. 

So when buying a metro Detroit home check out the basement carefully and be sure to hire a home inspector.  The $300 or $400 cost of a home inspection will sometimes save you thousands