Why a Home Inspection is Imperative Before Buying That House
Every home buyer knows that a home inspection is an important part of the buying process. Without an inspection, many new homeowners find themselves with a house that is filled with problems that they did not see before. Even though a home inspection will provide a major list of repairs that are needed, that does not mean everything must be completed before the sale is finalized.
The Home Inspection List
There is a massive amount of information that the inspector will look at when performing a home inspection. They will have an inspection list that they must follow to make sure they do not miss anything when walking through the home. This list has over 1,600 items to follow.
The Main Structure
An important aspect of the home is the main structure. If something is wrong with the foundation or the structure of the house, other problems will follow. The structure of the home is what everything is built on. No renovations are going to make a home better if the structure is not taken care of. Structural problems can be costly and some home buyers avoid properties that have them.
On Top
A good roof is what protects the house from the elements. A bad roof can lead to leaking inside, mildew, and mold.
There are many ways a roof can become damaged from shingles falling off to gutters coming loose. The main goal of a roof inspection is to make sure there are no problems that will allow water to get into the home.
Major Appliances
Any main appliances that will stay with the home should be inspected to determine if they have been well-maintained. The heating and cooling appliances need to be inspected regardless of what the temperature outside is. The water heater should also be assessed to make sure everything is working when the new owners take over.
Surface Problems With Plumbing
The inspector will not tear up the house to look at the plumbing. They will look at areas that are already exposed to look for signs of wear and tear. Leaks are easily found when there is damage to the structure of the house. A simple check of the water pressure can indicate if there is a problem with the plumbing, as well.
Avoiding Electrical Fires
To make sure the new homeowners will not come home to their house ablaze, each outlet must be tested. This test will make sure that they have been installed correctly and they are grounded. During this process, the inspector will find if there are any violations of code and assess how old the electrical system is.
General Problems
Moving away from the major problems, the inspector will assess the general quality of the house. Something as simple as how easily doors open and close will be looked at. Each piece of equipment that is staying with the home will be tested, as well. Even small problems will be noted so the new owners can determine if they would like to fix them before they become large problems.
The main goal of a home inspection is to identify any problems that will pose a threat to a family living in the house. This can be floors that have started to warp, stairs that are uneven, railings that are loose or missing, or even floors that are starting to sink. In older homes, it may be checking for lead paint all the way down to the smoke and carbon monoxide detector. All aspects of the house are under scrutiny.
Getting the Home Inspection
The potential buyer does not have to read every single note in the inspection. Not all aspects are going to be important in their decision. Most home inspectors will highlight major problems and those that could pose a problem down the road. From there, a report is provided to the buyer for them to look at down the road if they choose to buy the house.
A home inspection should be a step every buyer takes before closing on a house. It can help them avoid finding costly problems after they have moved in. They can also use the inspection as a checklist for what they need to update or renovate in the home. In some cases, the inspection may be the reason a buyer walks away from a house that would have taken too much money to fix.