What Will Make You Fail a Home Inspection?

March 20, 2026

(A New Hampshire Homebuyer’s Guide—Especially for First-Timers)

Let’s clear something up right away: Homes don’t technically “fail” home inspections.

There’s no red stamp, no big buzzer, and no clipboard-snapping moment where the inspector declares, “This house is doomed!” Read more about the home inspection process.

BUT… certain issues can absolutely derail a deal, scare off first-time homebuyers, or trigger major renegotiations—especially here in New Hampshire, where winter, moisture, and older homes like to keep things interesting.

So let’s talk about what really causes problems—and what NH buyers should watch out for.

The Big Deal-Breakers for NH Homebuyers

What will make you fail a home inspection?

1. ❄️ Water, Water Everywhere (Basements & Crawlspaces)

If you’re buying in New Hampshire, chances are good the house has:

A basement
A crawlspace
Or both

Red flags include:

Active water intrusion
Chronic dampness
Mold growth
Sump pumps that don’t work (or don’t exist)

💡 Why it matters:
Water issues can mean foundation concerns, mold remediation, or ongoing maintenance costs—things lenders and buyers take very seriously.

2. ⚡ Electrical Systems That Time Forgot

Older NH homes are charming… until you open the electrical panel.

Common inspection concerns:

Knob-and-tube wiring
Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels
Double-tapped breakers
DIY wiring projects gone very wrong

💡 First-time buyer tip:
Some insurance companies won’t insure homes with certain outdated electrical systems—this can stop a deal fast.

3. 🔥 Heating Systems That Won’t Survive a NH Winter

In New Hampshire, heat isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.

Problematic findings include:

Old or failing boilers/furnaces
Unsafe venting
Oil tanks at the end of their life
Supplemental heat as the primary source

💡 Reality check:
If the heat system can’t keep up in January, that’s a serious concern—not just an inconvenience.

4. 🏚️ Roofs at the End of the Road

Roofs don’t need to be perfect—but they do need to be functional.

Deal-killers often include:

Active leaks
Severely worn shingles
Structural sagging
Improper repairs or multiple roof layers

💡 NH-specific note:
Ice dams, snow loads, and freeze/thaw cycles are rough on roofs here. Inspectors see the long-term effects every winter.

5. 🧱 Foundation Issues You Can’t Ignore

Not every foundation crack is a disaster—but some absolutely are.

Major concerns include:

Horizontal cracking
Bowing walls
Significant settlement
Structural movement

💡 Good to know:
Granite foundations and older stone foundations are common in NH. They aren’t automatically “bad,” but they do need proper evaluation.