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Home inspections are professional inspections of the home after a seller has accepted your offer, but before you complete the sale. A pre inspection can be ordered by homeowners to discover any problems with their house before they sell it.
A home inspection is a thorough examination of the house, its structural integrity, and any potential safety hazards. Home inspections are vital for protecting buyers. If you’re not closing on the home of your dreams, don’t give up this right.
You’ll want to make sure that your house passes inspection before selling it, so the buyer won’t be swayed by its poor condition.
Do I need to have my home inspected?
A home inspector will review the most important parts of the house and provide a detailed report about the state of the property. This helps you identify items that are in need of replacement, or that could be a problem in the future. It also gives you an overall understanding of the home beyond its cosmetic appearance.
A home inspection is not always necessary, but most lenders require it if you are taking out a loan for the purchase of the house. You may be able, if you have a substantial down payment, to waive the home inspection in order to boost your offer. However, we do not recommend this.
Home inspections can cost between $300 and $500, but you’ll save a lot more in the end. The inspection process is quick.
What is covered by a home inspection?
Standard home inspections cover the structural components of the house as well as functional components which make it habitable.
A licensed Home Inspector will conduct a visual inspection on all accessible parts of the house and note the current condition. This is not a pass/fail test, but rather an assessment to see what needs to be fixed or replaced. A professional inspector can identify these issues before closing, giving you more flexibility and negotiation power at the closing. The inspection usually includes:
- Roof condition
- Driveway condition
- Basement and garage framing and foundations
- Exterior of a home including siding, decks and porches
- Floors, walls and ceilings
- Electrical Outlets
- Heating and air conditioning
- Alignment of windows and doors
- The Plumbing
- Major appliances (if you’re keeping them in your home)
- Ventilation
- Insulation
- Fireplaces and wood stoves
Five things that a home inspection does not cover
The standard home inspection does not cover any visual cues. This is not an under-the surface, in-depth inspection. Regular inspectors are not able to check:
- Inside walls: pipes and sewer lines
- Chimneys
- Behind Electrical Panels
- Swimming Pools
- Hazardous materials, like lead mold, asbestos
Each of these hazards could mean that a buyer will have to make a substantial additional investment after the closing. You may also want to look into these specific inspections if you are concerned about a home (especially an older house) having some of these hazards.
Home inspections can be classified into several types
Standard home inspections provide a buyer a detailed report about the house they are interested in purchasing. The standard home inspection does not cover everything. Depending on the location, age and condition of the house, additional inspections may be required.
Mold inspection
According to the EPA if you notice mold you probably have it. You should then get a mold test to determine the extent of damage. Mold inspectors use a moisture meter in order to determine dampness of drywall, insulation and other building materials. They also take air samples both inside and outside your home. A mold test can help you determine the severity of a mold infestation so that you can begin remediation.
Inspection of foundations
Standard home inspections may note structural problems with a house, but they do not examine the foundation. A foundation inspection may be necessary if the house looks in poor condition from the outside, or if there are obvious cracks on the foundation. These inspectors examine the foundation of a home and look for potential problems such as drainage issues, tree roots, or cracks. You may need to hire a structural engineering firm to fix any real issues.
Radon and air quality inspection
Radon, a radioactive carcinogenic gas that seeps into foundation cracks and near pipes and electrical outlets, is a silent killer. According to the EPA, one out of every fifteen homes in America may have excessive radon levels. testing for radon is the only way to determine if your home is at risk.
The risk of elevated levels of radon is higher in older homes. You can perform a 48-hour test, which is shorter than the 90-day recommended testing. The test is not as thorough but should still tell you whether there’s a high level of radon present in your home.
Roof certification
A home inspector may conduct a visual inspection of the roof but it is not the most thorough. You should get a roof certificate if the inspector says that the roof appears damaged. Roofers will determine not only the condition of your roof, but also give you a rough estimate of how long it will be before it needs to be replaced. For older homes, roof inspections are essential.
Septic tank inspection
Plumbing and septic tanks are not included in home inspections. It can be expensive to fix these problems, so it is a good investment to hire a local plumber or septic inspector who will analyze the condition of the home’s waste disposal system during a separate Septic Inspection. This is especially true if your home is older than 20 years.
Inspection for wood-destroying organisms (WDO) and pests
Louisiana, Texas and Hawaii are the most common places to find termites. Also, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, The Carolinas and Tennessee. You may be required by law to submit a termite report and a wood infestation report in some states to receive final approval for obtaining a loan. If you are using a VA or FHA loan, an inspection of the WDO is also likely to be required.
An inspector will look for active infestations, previous infestations, and possible trouble spots during this pest inspection. This detailed report can help you decide if you require an exterminator, and prevent WDO.
Why you should get a home inspector
There are many reasons why you should get a home inspector when buying a home. We want to emphasize this point. You should not skip a house inspection for your own protection.
Identifying safety issues
The previous section has explained that homes can contain hidden dangers. It’s vital to ensure the safety of your family and yourself by ensuring that a home is safe before you move in.
To gain negotiation leverage
Each item in the home inspection report represents an opportunity for buyers. You can negotiate with the seller if an inspector finds that something needs to be fixed or replaced. You can also insist that the seller makes the repairs themselves before closing.
Home inspector in kitchener on will help you determine the cost to restore a house to a condition that is acceptable. This number can be used to negotiate. You may be able to negotiate a better price for the house by working with your agent and the inspector.
Unpermitted work can be identified
People often get home improvements done without following the correct channels. While it may be convenient and save money for the homeowners, not all buyers feel comfortable purchasing homes that are not up to code. Inspections can reveal whether renovations and remodels were performed with the appropriate permits. These changes can affect the cost of insurance, taxes and the overall value. You will be responsible for obtaining the permits or making the necessary adjustments to taxes and insurance if you purchase the home.
How to forecast housing costs
You’ll know what your monthly mortgage payment will be before the inspection. A home inspection can estimate future costs. Home inspectors can estimate the cost of replacing major systems such as HVAC and plumbing. The inspector will tell you the age of the house’s finishes, the state of its structure and how much it’ll cost to maintain the home.
A home inspection can help you avoid spending a lot of money on your new home.
An inspection is also important because it will allow you to determine what kind of home warranty or insurance you need.
Have a way to escape
A home inspection can save you from falling into a financial pit that could be catastrophic. A house purchase is a major financial commitment and an inspection can be the best way to uncover any problems before the final closing.
A home inspection contingency is usually included in most negotiations. This ensures a buyer’s right to withdraw their offer if a house fails an inspection. This is a great protection, particularly if you are purchasing your first home.
Even in a hot market, skipping a home inspection can be a bad decision. Home inspections can help you identify potential issues with the house and determine how much money you will need to spend on maintenance once you move in. A home inspection can also reveal issues you cannot overcome. This will help you avoid buyer’s regret. Get a home inspector for your own protection.
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