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Generally, foundation cracks and repair are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. This type of damage is often considered normal wear and tear or a result of poor maintenance, which is the homeowner's responsibility. For example, damage caused by settling, shifting soil, or drainage issues is typically excluded.

However, there are exceptions. Coverage may apply if the foundation damage is a direct result of a covered peril, such as a house fire, a burst pipe, vandalism, or a vehicle accident. Coverage for natural disasters like earthquakes and floods often requires a separate, specific policy or add-on.

Repiping a house is a worthy investment in several scenarios. Key indicators that it's time to repipe include having pipes that are over 50 years old, experiencing frequent leaks and repairs, or noticing signs of corrosion and low water quality. It is especially important to replace pipes made from certain materials; lead pipes can cause serious health issues, galvanized steel can lead to rusty water, and polybutylene pipes can leach chemicals into your water supply.

Investing in new plumbing can prevent costly problems like water damage and mold growth. New pipes can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years, saving you money on future repairs and high water bills. Repiping can also increase your home's overall value and improve efficiency, for example, by using PEX pipes for lines that don't carry hot water. The cost to repipe a house typically ranges from $1,500 to $15,000.

The unseen issues with a home are often the ones that turn out to be the most stressful. While inspections aren’t a legal requirement, they can highlight significant issues, such as damaged foundations, excessive mold, leaky basements, or problematic plumbing. These can cost thousands of dollars to repair, and the work can be invasive.

Knowing these things that fail a home inspection in advance allows you to decide if you want to proceed with the purchase. The seller may even cut back the sale price to help cover any renovation expenses or take care of them before closing.

These are some of the critical considerations when planning to make your home accessible:

• How wide are your doorways, wheelchair ramps, hallways, and pathways? These should be at least 32 inches wide.

• Which bathroom modifications will be necessary? 

• Do you need to lower any cabinetry or other fixtures to make them accessible for wheelchair users?

• Is there enough room to turn around in the shower?

• Is there a second story of the home that requires a stair lift?

• Is there proper lighting outside in the dark? If not, a floodlight may be necessary.