What Inspections Are Important When Buying a House?
When purchasing a home, the buyer (you) will have a set amount of time to get a home inspection performed before signing on the dotted line. You should hire a professional home inspector to examine the home from top to bottom to make sure that it doesn't have any major damage that could affect its value.
It's important to keep in mind that if you decide to inspect the home on your own, you will more than likely miss subtle defects that are not easily identifiable to the untrained eye. A professional home inspector will have the skills needed to check for both major and minor structural damage, plumbing problems, faulty wiring, poor ventilation, and roofing damages.
These are only some of the standard inspections that should be performed when buying a house; there are other potential problems with the home that can be just as costly to repair as those listed above, and some that might even put you in danger. Other items that should be inspected include: heating systems, inspection of the overall condition of the home, windows and doors, inspection for environmental hazards, and drainage systems.
If your home inspection finds any problems, don't be alarmed -- that's why you got the home inspection in the first place! There are bound to be a few minor problems, especially if you're not buying a brand new house. In the event that many minor (or some major) problems do arise, you have some options. You can: ask that the seller lower the asking price of the home, ask the seller to make the necessary repairs or ask the seller to split the cost of the repairs with you. If the seller won't lower the price of the home or help cover the cost of repairs, it might be in your best interest to search for another home.
Top Ten Inspection Issues
Make sure each of these items is thoroughly checked during your home inspection. And don't be afraid to ask your home inspector questions throughout the home inspection process! Look for:
- Roof leaks
- Structural damage (major or minor)
- Poor drainage
- Faulty wiring
- An unsafe heating system
- A poorly maintained interior or exterior (cracked or peeling paint, crumbling masonry, broken fixtures, makeshift wiring or plumbing)
- Plumbing problems
- Air and water in and around the exterior of doors and windows
- Inadequate ventilation
- Environmental hazards in the home or its structure (asbestos, formaldehyde, contaminated drinking water, radon and leaking underground oil tanks)