A home inspection is extremely important before you buy a home. The little extra money you will have to pay a home inspection officer will be worth it if it can save you from future hassles once you have bought the house.
You can get an idea of how important a home inspection is by the fact that there exists a home inspection contingency in your purchase offer. If your inspection reveals serious defects in the house then you can back out of the deal. You can do this without any penalty but within a timeframe.
Home Inspection:
The home inspector usually takes two to three hours for the inspection. It is advised that you are present for the inspection to get a firsthand view of the problems, if any. Also, you will be able to question the home inspector directly in case of any confusions. You can also get a better understanding of the defect by seeing it in real rather than in the photographs attached in the report.
A home inspector examines certain components of the home you are looking to buy. Inspections will vary according to the expertise and thoroughness of the home inspector. He will deliver to you a report based on his findings.
Inspection of the Exterior:
The home inspector will check the exterior walls for signs of damage because of pests or any other reason. He will apprise you of the seriousness of the problems, whether they are cosmetic or serious. The inspector will also try to get an idea of the condition of the foundation by looking for signs of cracks, etc.The inspector will examine whether the grading slopes away from the house as it should to avoid water entering into your home. The garage will also be examined. The inspector will check whether the garage is properly ventilated, its garage framing and the garage door functionality.
The roof will also be inspected. There could be leaks where there is roof damage, missing shingles or improper installation. The gutters will also be examined.
Inspection of the Interior:
The inspector will go through all the plumbing. He will look for any leaks in the showers, sinks and faucets. He will also check the water pressure. The electrical wiring will also be examined. The inspector will test all the outlets and check the electrical panel.
The inspector will examine your heating ventilation and air conditioning system. He will tell you if any repairs are needed. He will check the bathrooms and sometimes look into the kitchen appliances as well. He will also ensure fire safety in the house.
Post-Inspection:
Depending on the kind of defects you have found out through the inspection, you can do one of a few things. If there is an inspection contingency in the contract, you can back off from the deal altogether. Another option is to ask the seller to fix the issues and reduce the purchase price. The last option is that you will be stuck doing all the repairs yourself after you own the property.
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