I took out some buyer clients yesterday in Deer Park. This is a lovely area north of Palatine and east of Barrington. One of its distinguishing features is its rolling landscape and soft hills.
After seeing a couple duds, we came upon a home my clients really liked. The home had great curb appeal, but I was a little concerned about improper surface grading and drainage. Now, I am by no means an expert in landscaping or water management, but this is the most frequent item I hear home inspectors cite as an actual issue or potential problem.
So, I suggested we take a careful look at the basement. Sure enough, there was a damp, musty feel to the lower-level. We had no way of knowing if there was mold in the home, but negative grading combined with a musty basement was enough to scare us away.
Deer Park is not the only town with berms and hills. Most of the Northwest Suburbs has a varied landscape. Hills, woods, and water are what make our area so beautiful.
Fortunately, our local villages and cities have inspectors who regulate the building of homes to make sure they don’t build in a manner that renders their projects vulnerable to water seepage. That being said, I hear inspectors talk about improper grading all the time; this is the single most common concern I encounter. Even if a home is built properly, soil erodes over time and the movement of earth can change the flow of water.
When I’ve asked about this, all home inspectors say the same thing: When looking at homes, consider their positioning with regard to local topography, and consider how the flow of water has been managed in the neighborhood. The grading around the home should be slanted away from the exterior. All down spouts should be extended so that they guide the flow of water away from the home.
Also, spend some time in the basement looking for water stains and signs of penetration. These are just a few helpful tips; what is most important is that you have a licensed home inspector go over the property during the attorney review period.
