A house inspection is an extensive examination of the shape of a home. The house inspection is often but not always performed when a house is being sold and under contract. We believe that a home is one of the biggest purchases one will ever make. An inspection is an inexpensive way to determine the overall condition of a home. By performing an inspection, you likely will avoid the costly mistake of purchasing a property in need of major repairs.
A certified inspector is a professional who is responsible for the inspection of the general condition of the property. A property may look move-in ready, but an inspector will inspect all the components of the house such as plumbing, electrical, roofing, insulation, as well as the structural features of the house. Having a certified inspector perform a thorough inspection of the property is like taking out an insurance policy against potential repair costs.
There are many types of inspection processes that you could conduct before the purchase of a home. First would be the general or residential inspection. The certified inspector should inspect the exterior, structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, and ventilation, to name a few. After your inspections, you will receive a report that highlights any improvements or repairs deemed necessary to correct the issues. Inspections may reveal problems with a home that could be expensive to correct. If after you determine that you still would like the property, this could be a reason to re-negotiations the purchase price. As the buyer, you could negotiate a credit, have the seller pay for repairs before the closing, buy the home as-is, or withdraw the offer if the issues seem too problematic.
A radon inspection is also important when buying a home here in the Northeast. Radon occurs naturally, especially in areas situated above granite. Radon is considered hazardous to health. If a test reveals high levels of radon, some ways to handle the radon could be: sealing concrete slab floors, foundations walls, and drainage systems. This could be an expensive fix and one that would be known with a radon test.
Other inspections that should be considered before buying a home may be well water testing and septic tank testing.
If possible, it is good to attend your home inspection during the process. This is an educational opportunity for you. The cost of these inspections will vary depending upon the size, and age of the house. A home inspection could take as long as 4 hrs, depending upon the size and age of the home.
A seller of a home may also consider an inspection before the property goes onto the market. This may help the seller in setting a price, correct issues before it is put on the market. Having a pre-inspection report available for buyers show them that the seller has nothing to hide.