The importance of home inspection when purchasing a new house
Buying a new home is an exciting part of anyone's life. It's a start of a new adventure. However, you shouldn't make this decision lightly. Even if you've found an ideal home for you and your family, it's crucial to make sure that it's as good as advertised. So, today, we'll deal with the importance of home inspection when purchasing a new house.
Some of the common problems found during a home inspection are easy to fix or change in your new place. However, some can be rather difficult. This process should bring you peace of mind before you sign a contract. You'll know exactly what you're getting, and you'll have nothing to be worried about.
In essence, it allows you to make an informed decision. You'll learn how much money you need to put aside for renovations, so you'll know what kind of an offer to make.
The main goals of pre-buying home inspection
Not all home inspections are the same. And with a pre-buying inspection, there are a couple of goals you can look forward to.
Firstly, it will give you a chance to determine the actual value and condition of the house you're considering. So, the structural soundness, the state of mechanical systems, and things similar to these are the main points of concern.
Secondly, both you and the old owner will learn about all the problems the house may have. This gives you some leverage, and you can request these problems be solved before you move in. If the seller doesn't want to do this, you can lower your offer to account for the fixes you need to make.
With a home inspection, you'll learn what shape your future house is in.
Include home inspection in the contract
Sometimes, homeowners will pressure you into signing a contract before the inspection takes place. Although this is not ideal, you can go with it if you add a clause stating the sale depends on a satisfactory home inspection. In this case, you'll have to specify when this is bound to happen.
If it turns out that things aren't as presented, you'll be able to back out of the sale without any penalties. However, know that the home defects have to be significant to allow for this.
On the other hand, if you have to deal only with minor issues, it should be easy for you to take care of them before you move in. In this case, you can take advantage of the valet storage services to help yourself out. This is a cost-effective solution for anyone looking for flexibility while moving. Rent a unit for all your belongings, fix whatever you need around the house, and let the movers bring your stuff in. The process is as easy as it can be.
Not all inspectors are the same
It's only natural that some inspectors have higher qualifications or more enthusiasm and experience. So, some of them will be better than others. However, any good inspector will know what to look for and how to spot signs of trouble. Some components of a home are the usual source of issues, and knowing about these is what drives the importance of home inspection when purchasing a new house.
You, as a buyer, should be there during the inspection. This way, you can see the things the inspector looks at and ask any additional questions if you have them. You'll get a chance to get detailed answers on anything that interests you in the house. And this will clarify issues better than any picture or report.
Not all home inspectors will work with the same enthusiasm.
What the home inspection covers
Depending on the home, its features, and their own experience, the inspector will determine how thoroughly to inspect it. However, there are some general guidelines they need to follow. So, if you want to find out what home inspectors look for, here are the things you can expect to learn more about.
The outside and inside structures
Structural integrity is the most important thing for any home inspector. You can be sure that they'll check crawlspaces under the home, roof, and the seals of your windows and doors, among other things.
Now, the foundation is not easy to check out since it's not visible. However, there are ways to investigate the health of it. A good inspector will look for signs of cracks or settling. These are secondary signs of foundation issues, so they shouldn't be overlooked.
Grading
When it comes to grading, the slope should lead away from your house, not towards it. If your grading slopes are going the wrong way, all the chances are that your home will be susceptible to water damage.
If this is the case, you'll need to change the slope or install a drainage system. Unfortunately, both of these solutions can get pricey. Therefore, this problem should be discovered before you put down any money for the house.
Electrical
There are no two houses with the same electrical system, so you must learn about what type of wiring your home has and ensure that there's a functional ground fault circuit interrupter. This is especially true if you're considering an older house.
You'd be surprised with what kinds of electric mistakes are found in home inspections. If everything works as it should, you'll be protected from electrical shocks, burns, and electrocution.
The importance of home inspection when purchasing a new house is that you'll get to learn what problems your house might have.
Plumbing
The story of plumbing is similar to the one we have for electrical. If your home has old pipes, they might need to be replaced. And since that's an expensive addition, you should know about it beforehand.
The inspector will check for leaks and test the water pressure. On top of that, they should show you the main water shutoff valve and explain to you how to use it.
HVAC
Finally, you'll learn a thing or two about your HVAC system. These are expensive to repair or replace, but they also can influence your energy bills. A home inspector will check the age and ensure everything is working as it should.
In this part of the process, they'll also look at your insulation. In older homes, it can contain asbestos, which is a health hazard. You don't want to live in such a home, so this only proves the importance of home inspection when purchasing a new house.
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