Many people these days are interested in buying a home to take advantage of low interest rates and the fantastic pricing that has been brought about by the foreclosure crisis. The home buying experience will be far less stressful if you have the home inspected by a qualified home inspector. In many municipalities, having a home inspection is a required part of the sale, but there are still places where it is optional and some people do not have an inspection done. This could be a costly mistake especially when dealing with a foreclosed property. As a buyer, you are investing a significant portion of money into the purchase of a home, and the inspection can ease the fear about any problems that may arise after the sale of the home is completed.
The inspection will start on the outside of home by assessing the general condition of the exterior. The foundation; siding, brick, or stucco; soffit and facia; gutters and downspouts; and roofing will be closely examined to determine the condition.
The foundation should be free from any large vertical cracks or other significant damage, and the area for at least five feet around the home should have proper drainage sloping away from the structure. Any shrubbery or trees should be planted a reasonable distance away from the home to prevent problems with roots and to prevent excessive water from pooling near the foundation.
The siding, brick, or stucco should be free from any major defects and the trim around all windows should appear to fit snuggly and be caulked very well. The soffit and facia should also appear to be free from any major defects. The soffit should fit well and not have any large gaps and the facia should be free from any warping or damage due to weather. The gutters should fit up against the facia snuggly and should not have any holes or rusted spots. They should be free of debris, and the downspouts should be checked to see if they are free of debris and that they drain well away from the foundation of the structure.
When inspecting the roofing of a home, the major problems to look for are how well the roofing material is sealed around the penetrations coming out of the roof. A close inspection inside the attic of the home is needed to be sure that these penetrations are not leaking. The roofing material should be in good condition. The roofing material should extend about one inch over the facia to allow for proper drainage of rain or melting snow into the gutter system.
Any decks attached to the home should be thoroughly examined for sturdiness and the condition of the material used to construct the deck should be in good condition and free from any weather related damage.
Upon moving inside the home to continue the inspection, the major systems of the home are the most important part of the interior. This includes the heating/cooling system, the plumbing systems and the electrical system. The inspection of these systems is generally where the cost of the inspection is truly worth the money invested. Most home buyers will not be able to tell if any of these components are in good condition or if they have serious defects. A certified home inspector can save a home buyer thousands of dollars in costly repairs, and sometimes prevent a life threatening situation from developing.
The inspection in this area includes examining and testing the furnace and air conditioning, and all of the ducting connected to them; all plumbing connections including the hot water heater, faucets, toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. Examining the electrical system includes testing all the switches, plugs, lighting fixtures, and the panel in the home.
The inspector will then move to the kitchen and check the condition of the appliances, as well as the condition of the cabinets and countertops. The appliances need to be in good working condition and be free from any major defects.
Another area that has become very important in the inspection process is checking the condition of the insulation of the home. A thorough examination of the attic should reveal adequate insulation regardless of the climate. The exterior walls of the home should also have adequate insulation as well. The windows and exterior doors should be examined for proper fit and weather stripping.
The final focus of the inspection will then move to the condition of the interior doors, trim, paint, and floor coverings.
The inspector’s job also includes informing the potential home buyer at every step of the inspection as to what the inspector is discovering while examining the home. If any major defects are uncovered, the inspector usually provides an estimate of the cost associated with fixing the problem. This information allows the potential home buyer to evaluate the contract price and determine if a different offer needs to be made.
Sometimes a buyer will use this information to back out of the home purchase contract which is why it is imperative for a buyer to make sure the home inspection provision is present in the contract when making an offer. When this provision is included in the offer and in the event a major defect is uncovered, the buyer is allowed to receive an earnest money refund and will not be held liable for breaking the contract. Without this provision, the buyer can be legally forced to execute the contract even if there are major defects that will cost the buyer thousands of dollars to repair.
The nominal fee to hire a home inspector is well worth the investment. Buying a home is usually the single most expensive purchase in most people’s lives and the inspection of that home really does help the home buyer make the process more enjoyable.
