Facilitating Smoother Real Estate Transactions Throughout the Wyoming Valley
With a housing inventory largely built before World War II, many properties in Luzerne County suffer from advanced foundation settlement, ventilation issues that cause hidden mold, and outdated electrical and plumbing systems that compromise safety.
Without a professional home inspection, these issues can compound over many years and leave you on the hook for repairs if you’re buying a home.
Over 45,000 homes in Luzerne County (27.6%) lie in a floodplain, many of which were victims of the devastating flooding from Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and the flood of 2011 and still have advanced damage that has only been patched over.
Hidden risks like radon also linger beneath many homes in the Wyoming Valley, as an estimated 40% of homes in the commonwealth suffer from radon levels that exceed EPA recommendations.
Rural homes in Lake Lehman, Bear Creek, and Hunlock Creek also rely on private septic
The next time you buy and sell a property in Luzerne County, get a thorough home inspection from an InterNACHI Master-certified inspector. With fast turnaround times in as little as 24-48 hours, we can provide a detailed inspection report, uncovering costly issues related to a property, while helping expediting real estate transactions.
For deeper issues like mold, radon, and termite damage, we offer specialized inspections designed to uncover current issues and provide detailed documentation for lenders.
Luzerne County Expert Property Inspection Services
Mountain to Valley offers the full range of inspection services that Luzerne County buyers, sellers, and investors need to make informed decisions:
- Home Inspections: A top-to-bottom assessment of every accessible system and component, including the foundation, framing, roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, with a detailed written report identifying defects, safety concerns, and items to budget for.
- Pre-Listing Inspections: Sellers who inspect before listing remove the uncertainty that kills deals at the finish line. Our pre-listing inspection gives you a clear picture of your property’s condition so you can repair, disclose, or price accordingly before the first showing.
- Radon Testing: Luzerne County’s anthracite geology places it in a radon zone where indoor levels frequently exceed EPA action thresholds. Short-term testing identifies elevated concentrations before you close on a property.
- Indoor Air Quality and Mold Testing: Wyoming Valley homes with flood history, basement moisture, or inadequate ventilation are among the highest-risk properties in Pennsylvania for hidden mold. Air quality and surface sampling confirm whether contamination is present and where.
- Water Testing: Rural Luzerne County townships rely heavily on private wells that are not subject to municipal monitoring. Testing for bacteria, nitrates, heavy metals, and contaminants associated with historical coal-region land use before a transaction closes.
- Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) / Pest Inspections: The older structural lumber in Luzerne County’s pre-war housing stock is a frequent target for termites and other wood-destroying insects. Our certified WDO reports meet lender requirements and provide buyers with documentation of the current pest status.
- Septic Inspections: Properties in Kingston Township, Harveys Lake, Wright Township, and other areas outside municipal sewer service depend on private septic systems. Inspections prevent costly repairs.
- Commercial Building Inspections: Multi-family housing, retail strip centers, warehouses, and mixed-use properties are inspected by our certified commercial inspectors with the same fast report turnaround that residential clients rely on.
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are required for commercial acquisitions and redevelopment projects to ensure documented environmental due diligence. Our Phase I ESA identifies recognized environmental conditions and historical site uses before they become liabilities.
Past Flooding and Outdated Building Practices Leave Many Homes at Risk for Hidden Damage
Approximately 42.6% of homes in Luzerne County were built before 1940, particularly in older, established neighborhoods like Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, and Nanticoke. It’s not uncommon for farmhouses in rural areas like Dallas and West Wyoming to be over a century in age.
Not only do these homes face the natural consequences of age-related defects, including foundation settlement, siding erosion, and outdated plumbing systems, but they also contend with geological challenges unique to the region.
- Flood History and Hidden Water Damage: Communities such as Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, and surrounding valley towns lie within the Susquehanna River floodplain. The devastating impact of Hurricane Agnes in 1972—and subsequent flooding events—left many properties with repaired but potentially concealed damage to foundations, subfloors, and basement walls.
- Radon from Anthracite Coal Field: Luzerne County sits atop Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal formation, a major source of elevated radon levels. Many local zip codes consistently exceed the EPA’s action level of 4 pCi/L. Because radon is colorless and odorless, testing is the only way to detect it.
- Pre-War Construction and Aging Building Systems: Much of the county’s housing was constructed between 1890 and 1940 to support the coal industry. Homes in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Nanticoke, and Plymouth often contain outdated systems such as knob-and-tube or early aluminum wiring, cast-iron plumbing, unvented crawl spaces, and single-wythe brick walls lacking insulation.
- Private Well and Septic Usage in Rural Areas: Townships like Bear Creek, Dennison, Hollenback, Ross, and Lake Township rely on private wells and septic systems that are vulnerable to contamination and disrepair.
- Mine Subsidence from Historic Coal Extraction: Decades of underground coal mining have left portions of Luzerne County vulnerable to ground movement. Properties above abandoned mine workings may experience foundation cracking, uneven floors, and misaligned doors or windows that differ from typical settlement patterns.
This combination of environmental and structural factors makes a regionally experienced home inspection essential for anyone buying or selling property in Luzerne County, ensuring that hidden risks are accurately identified before a transaction is finalized.
Why Luzerne County Buyers and Sellers Trust Mountain to Valley for Home Inspections
While home inspections are critical tools for lender approval, they also furnish potential buyers and sellers with important details about their property, including its age, condition, and current and future repairs.
Trust a top-certified home inspector with industry-leading credentials and a 5-star rating to uncover hidden defects in your home, so that you’re not on the hook, and keep real estate transactions flowing smoothly.
- InterNACHI Certified Master Inspector: the industry’s highest residential certification, held by fewer than 1% of home inspectors nationally
- Inspection reports delivered in as little as 24 to 48 hours, keeping transactions on schedule in the Wyoming Valley’s competitive market
- Direct experience with Wyoming Valley flood history, coal-era construction, and the specific defects common to Luzerne County’s housing stock
- Radon testing with next-day results—essential for early detection and mitigation
- Comprehensive service menu covering everything from residential WDO reports for lenders to Phase I ESAs for commercial acquisitions
- Trusted by buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and investors throughout Luzerne County
Areas We Serve in Luzerne County
Mountain to Valley Home Inspections provides residential and commercial inspection services throughout Luzerne County, including:
- Wilkes-Barre
- Kingston
- Pittston
- Nanticoke
- Hazleton
- Plymouth
- Shavertown
- Dallas
- Mountain Top
- Edwardsville
- Wyoming
- Swoyersville
- Larksville
- Ashley
- Hanover Township
- Bear Creek Township
- Lake Township
- Harveys Lake
- White Haven
- Duryea
Schedule your inspection today and receive a comprehensive, detailed report in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Whether you are navigating a buyer’s inspection contingency, preparing a property for sale, or evaluating an investment, Mountain to Valley gives you the documentation and certainty to move forward.