If I had to pick three issues that kill real estate tranactions the most, it would be the following . These are not in order but are all important.
1. MOLD
Given the amount of media coverage it gets, its no wonder so many people are concerned about it when purchasing a home. I do not test for mold but certainly look for it. All homes have mold. It becomes a matter of how much, what it is and where is it. Most homes do not have mold contamination that would affect the occupants health. If I suspect there's a serious mold problem in a home it's time to flag it and call in an indoor air quality investigator.
2. BASEMENTS
Southeast Wisconsin is home to many wet and damaged basements. This is primarily due to soil conditions, the freeze- thaw cycle and home owner neglect. The basement inspection starts on the exterior looking for such things as cracked/displaced brick veneer or other abnormal siding defects. Cracked or displaced foundation. Poor grading, flat work pitched the wrong way and non-functioning rain gutters and downspouts. Once inside the basement a diligent visual examination of the walls and floor will occur and measurements taken to check for wall plumbness and deformation. I will not hesitate to refer a customer to a basement specialist if the situation dictates.
3. ATTICS
Some inspectors overlook this area of the home. Its critical to examine the attic for moisure, mold, structural and mechanical problems. Rodents and other animals like to make attics their homes. There also must be adequate ventilation and insulation in the attic to prevent energy loss. Also present in the attic are mechanical systems such as plumbing, electrical , fans and chimneys.
The above three topics are only a fraction of what I inspect but are very important aspects of any home inspection.