subject: Why You Need A Quality Home Inspection [print this page] Why You Need A Quality Home Inspection Why You Need A Quality Home Inspection
Buying a home is expensive enough, but many potential homeowners are dismayed when they learn that they have to fork over another $300-$500 for a quality home inspection. It seems like such a waste of time and finances, I mean the house looks good, and nobody would put their house on the market if it wasn't in great condition, right?
Well, in many cases, probably so, but do you really want to take the chance? Buying a home that looks nice on the outside only to wake up to the money pit you have actually inherited could make for some very bad days indeed.
One of the main reasons to get a home inspection is obviously to make sure that the home is in good condition and that there are no problems that could come back to cost you dearly later on. It also provides a contingency for you to be able to back out of your offer without threat of penalty if problems are discovered.
A good inspector will make notes concerning whether problems found are safety issues, major or minor defects, what items if any should be repaired or replaced, and items that may be in good condition at the moment but require monitoring.
The list of everything checked out by a home inspector is considerable, but you should look for and expect no less than the following:
Exterior walls will be checked for cracking, damaged, or missing siding, as well as environments inviting to pests such as termites.
The foundation usually cannot be directly inspected because it is below ground, however a good inspector can find evidence of foundational defects by checking other areas of the structure for signs of cracks or settling.
Grading should slope away from your home for a distance of no less than ten feet. Your inspector will be able to determine if the grading meets specifications. Be warned that improper landscape slope may result in inadequate drainage and possible water damage to your home.
Your garage will be tested for proper opening and closing as well as ventilation (to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning). If your water heater is in your garage, it will need to be located high enough off the ground to minimize the risk of explosion from gas fumes that might mingle with a heater's flame.
Of course the roof will be checked out for any signs of damage which may allow water to enter the residence. Shingles, vents, and gutters will all be inspected for problems or potential problems.
When it comes to the interior of your home, the plumbing will receive high priority, checking faucets and showers for leaks, as well as water pressure.
The home's electrical system will be checked, inspecting all outlets, switches, and your main electrical panel. Fire hazards and risks for electrical shock will need to be eliminated.
Your water heater's age will be determined, as well as whether or not it has been properly installed and maintained. Your home's appliances will also be looked at just to make sure that they are all in good working order.
Bathrooms will need inspection to make sure that toilets and plumbing are all properly connected or fastened, as well as adequate ventilation to cut down on the chance of mold or mildew developing.
Of course home inspection is not the be all end all of the home buying process. They won't catch everything, and if they do find a problem, they don't fix it. You'll have to shell out additional bucks for find the necessary repair person to come in and correct whatever the issue is.
Once the inspection is completed, you have some choices to make. If the inspection found numerous problems that you just don't care about correcting, you can a) walk away from the purchase agreement (as long as your agreement has that contingency), or b) you can ask the seller to fix the problems or lower the purchase price to allow you to take care of it, or c) just decide to fix the problems yourself after buying the home as time and budget allows.
A home inspection isn't a must, but it is highly recommended. It makes for peace of mind during a process that can become quite stressful. You can know that you are moving into a home that is solid and should provide you with many years of enjoyment and pleasure.
