subject: Just Prior To Closing On Your Homeowner Loan It Is Smart To Have A Home Inspection! [print this page] Typical of young and inexperienced person I had to learn the hard way that it is not a good idea to close on a homeowner loan without a home inspection. Remember looks can be deceiving no matter what condition you think the property is in. No one wants to find out they made a big mistake moving into a home where everything starts going wrong. Again, speaking from experience my wife and I replaced the central air and heating system, the hot water heater, the main electrical line to the range, had to repair the plumbing, discovered the basement leaked, and shortly thereafter, replaced the roof.
Don't just select someone out of the telephone book to do your home inspection since it could be an exceptionally important part of buying your first home. Home inspectors generally support their inspection for approximately a year, it doesn't help if you find out three years later that your roof is going bad. Had we known this before closing on our homeowner loan we would have negotiated the replacement or at least a credit toward that. Additionally, things like a cracked foundation are very hard to detect by an armature, and unfortunately will cost thousands to repair later. If you ever have to pump water out of your basement like I did then you will understand exactly what I mean.
Consider something that is scaring people a lot more these days and that is mildew and mold. Do not hire a home inspector that doesn't have some knowledge of detecting this. Not caring now about it will cost you thousands later when you are stuck with your home until it is removed. It will be the kiss of death if your home is discovered to have some in it. If you are lucking enough to have a home inspection that determines that you have a problem, then cancel the deal and run. You will have only one option if you do discover it and that is to drop the agreement fast.
You need to stay right beside the home inspector as they move through you property inside and out. This is not a question of trust it is more of a peace of mind for you knowing what they've observed. It is a good practice to ask questions as you go along so you know what's happening. Are they looking up into the attic, in the crawl space beneath the home, the electrical wiring, the plumbing, the water heater, etc.? Are there soft spots on the roof or signs of leaking? Follow them around and verify with them.
Nothing in the world could make more sense than to assure yourself by having a home inspection that your home is going to be ok. If nothing else you will have confidence that everything will go smoothly. I hope you understand how important is it to have a home inspection done prior to closing on your homeowner loan.
