Debunking 4 Common Home Inspection Myths

There are a lot of myths surrounding home inspections. I wanted to address the top four myths so you can avoid making costly mistakes as a result.

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When it comes to home inspections, there are a lot of myths out there that people believe. Today I wanted to debunk the top four myths for you.

1. New construction homes don't need an inspection. We're seeing a lot of buyers asking to skip out on their inspections for their new builds, perhaps to save time or money. This is a mistake; if nothing else, the inspection can give you peace of mind and a degree of protection by letting you know exactly what you have. Compared to the cost of unexpected repairs, an inspection is absolutely worth it.
2. You don't need to check radon gas levels. Some people incorrectly assume that walkout basements and crawl space foundations naturally prevent homes from having high radon levels. However, radon is produced naturally by uranium in the soil, meaning it can enter your home through any cracks or openings, so homes with walkout basements or crawl space foundations can have just as high a radon level as those with enclosed basements. We recommend that every one of our buyers who is purchasing a home with any type of basement tests for radon no matter what; it's better to be safe than sorry.



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Just because a home is brand new doesn't mean it's flawlessly built.

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3. Concrete slab movement means there are foundational issues. Since the earth is always moving, slab movement is unavoidable. However, this doesn't indicate foundational issues because the slab itself is separated from the foundation. A thorough home inspection can provide details on the integrity of the foundation.
4. Moisture in the glass means you need new windows. Windows that have a broken seal can sometimes attract moisture that turns into incessant fog. If this happens, it doesn't mean you have to replace the entire window, but rather just the glass. This will save you a lot of money.

If you have any questions about these inspection myths or you need a referral for an awesome home inspector, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Likewise, if you have any questions about real estate in Northern New Jersey, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help!

Why You Can't Trust Zillow's Zestimate

Zillow has become one of the most popular online real estate information resources, but you have to be careful with the Zestimate feature. This valuation is almost always inaccurate.

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As you may know, Zillow is one of the most popular online home valuation tools. Their Zestimate is the site's online evaluation of your home's value. How do you know if the Zestimate is correct?

Unfortunately, it probably isn't.

I wanted to give you a heads-up against relying on Zillow to make any sort of real estate decision, whether you're buying or selling a home. Buyers and sellers rely more and more on these online evaluations, and yet, these estimates are just that–estimates. The best illustration of this comes from the CEO of Zillow himself, whose home sold for 40% less than the Zestimate! 

I won't deny that Zillow is a great real estate resource, but there are certainly a few caveats. First, remember that there are certain factors that Zillow can't take into account, like an irregular lot size, buyer demand patterns, the local market, home improvements that affect a home's value, or unique circumstances surrounding past home sales.

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Zillow's own CEO sold his home for 40% less than its Zestimate!

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Zillow doesn't get data from the MLS like professional agents do. The MLS is the most complete and accurate source for listings. Professional agents, on the other hand, study the market, live in the market, research relevant sales, and have often personally been inside many homes that are for sale or have recently sold. This is the kind of knowledge that you need to truly determine the value of a home.

In fact, Zillow even states that their median nationwide error is 7.9%, and half of their Zestimates are off by even more than that. You deserve better! This is even more true for luxury homes because of their unique features.

If you have questions about your home's actual value or you have any questions about the Northern New Jersey real estate market, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you out in any way I can!