What is the biggest home defect to watch out for?
Water damage is the biggest defect to watch for. Many home maintenance or structural problems are caused by water. Running water can erode gullies, saturate soil, and trigger landslides and mudslides. Too much water can cause flooding. Water also causes clay in soil to swell, damaging foundations. Likely candidates are plumbing or sprinkler system leaks, inadequate drainage control, or subsurface water or springs. A leaky roof also can cause significant water damage inside and outside the house. Once you find the source of any water damage, fix it as soon as possible.
