Home Inspections

Buying a home isn’t always an easy process. Finding the right one can take months and even up to a year. Then when you find a home, the offer has to get accepted and all the fun begins. Paperwork upon paperwork begins and the home inspection is done. Even though you think your house is perfect, the home inspector might tell you otherwise. During a home inspection prior to purchase (it’s usually done when a house is in escrow), a licensed professional will go in and inspect the home’s structural integrity. This will tell you if the home you’re buying is in great shape, or is a money pit you’ll have to dump more cash into to make it habitable.

Usually your mortgage company or real estate professional will work with inspectors and recommend you to a few they know and trust. Or, you might go off of a recommendation from a friend or find someone who had a high rating on the internet. Whichever way you find your inspector, it’s good to go with a company that has top credentials. Make sure that the inspector will provide you a detailed written report on any and all findings and not just hand over a handwritten checklist once they’re done.

Once you’ve found a good home inspector, it’s time for the big event. You should definitely attend the home’s inspection. Another set of eyes can always help and you’ll be able to ask questions while you’re there. Make sure that the person you’ve chosen to inspect your future home comes with the right equipment like electrical testers, a gas and carbon monoxide detector, ladder, moisture meter, flashlight, level, and any other necessary tools.

Ask questions. Don’t feel as if you’re intruding on the inspector, just ask away and know that no question is too dumb. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn from the inspector! Make sure everything is inspected like the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical systems, foundation, framing, decks, exterior facades, doors, windows, and roofs.

The interior shouldn’t be forgotten either. The inspector should look for things that might may be asbestos-containing materials. Look for lead paint and more. All electrical and mechanical components of the home should be checked. They should even check for wood-destroying insects and things like aluminum electrical distribution wires and electrical systems that are old and out of date.

Once the in-home inspection is done, the report should be delivered within a few days, which will detail the condition of the home you are purchasing, along with all of its positive and negative aspects. You should go over the report in detail and ask any follow up questions if necessary to fully understand the home that you are investing in.