Home complaints... (Boise: real estate, rental, new home)

[Homeinspectorboise]

As a home inspector, I see so many issues with homes everyday. I thought it would be fun to see what things people in Boise have the most trouble with inside their homes. Mold, pests, water intrusion, etc. Thanks

[VeeBee66]

I have a rental house. The ONLY thing I've had a problem with is the thingy on the bottom of the shower door fell off. It keep the water from going on the outside of the door. It's a pretty good house.

[MtnSniper]

That thingy is easy to replace...

[Steamboat45]

Originally Posted by Homeinspectorboise

As a home inspector, I see so many issues with homes everyday. I thought it would be fun to see what things people in Boise have the most trouble with inside their homes. Mold, pests, water intrusion, etc. Thanks

We are moving back to the Boise Valley some time this year and I would love to hear from the folks on this forum about this topic.

Homeinspectorboise, perhaps you can get the ball rolling by telling us about some of your most memorable experiences and what prospective buyers should be on the alert for.

[Lacerta]

As a property manager and real estate office manager in Boise, my number one complaint from tenants is HVAC related (A/C or heat isn't working). Most often it is because people forget to change the darn filters, no matter how many times they are reminded, and even if you leave them a box of filters next to the furnace.

Second most common are plumbing problems, most often leaky faucets and running toilets.

Haven't had a big problem with mold. We've had it on a few houses, of course, but it hasn't been a widespread problem. Pests, likewise haven't been a big problem. Mostly we get the normal sugar ants, spiders, wasps and flies.

[VeeBee66]

Originally Posted by MtnSniper

That thingy is easy to replace...

Oh I know. When I have something else go wrong I'll call to have it fixed. Not really an issue right now as what little water comes out gets on the shower mat and it gets hung up to dry after each shower.

[kjax317]

We're also renting. It's a lovely home in Columbia Village and the only complaint (?) I have is that the paint is not awesome, the carpet is a little rough in some places and one of the toilets has a mind of its own.

No known issues with mold, water damage or anything else. Very happy here

[motomac]

Our first summer here we were introduced to billbugs and cinchbugs.....both of whom destroy lawns. I'd never heard of them before, but certainly have now! A beautiful emerald green lawn will go to huge sections of totally dead brown grass in a matter of a couple of weeks.

[Homeinspectorboise]

Steamboat, I see so many things prospective buyers should be aware of. When buying in the older parts of Boise, many homes have not been updated when it comes to electrical / plumbing. Our modern day living and technology is too much for many of these homes to handle. Many homes are still 2 wire only and drains are original from house to street. These items are very costly when considering whole house re-pipes and re-wiring. Additionally, mold is not that big of a deal but 99% of the time when I inspect a home built prior to 1980 I always find mold somewhere. Pests are not too bad here overall...black widows and hobo spiders are common here but with pest control they seem to scatter to the neighbors house! When it comes to new builders, there are lots to choose from here. They range from the basic builder like Hubble all the way up to high end design with James Clyde. I found a brand new home last week that had no insulation installed in the attic space and another one that did not have any hot water lines plumbed in. You just never know and simply need to do your homework when buying. I have a couple really great realtors if anyone needs to start looking. Realtors here are also like any other industry, some really good ones and some really bad ones.

[Steamboat45]

"did not have any hot water lines plumbed in."

Wow! How in the world did the home past the building inspection?

Thanks.