Buying a house is one of the most important
decisions you will make. Before you purchase a home, one of the things you
should do is to have the home checked out by a professional home inspector. There are numerous
obvious benefits to having an inspection done on a home you are interested in
buying.
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a systematic and thorough
assessment of the condition of a property. In this process, the general
functionality, integrity, and overall safety of a home are examined thoroughly.
The main objective of this process is to ensure that the buyers know exactly
what is being purchased, before completing the transaction.
In all residential properties, even brand new ones,
some defects can be present which needs to be discovered before setting the
price. A home inspection evaluates all these flaws and all pertinent findings are
detailed in a written report. The buyers can review the report and finalize
their decision.
This inspection report enables a home buyer to make
educated decisions about a home purchase. Buyers can also find out how much renovation
and repair will be needed. A systematic inspection enables a home buyer to stay
away from any costly surprises afterwards. It is a crucial part of a
well-planned purchase.
Before you go through the inspection process, here
are a few things you should know about it-
Before the Inspection
Timing: Time is valuable. In general, a home
inspection is a one-day affair and takes about 3-4 hours. The home inspection
is carried out when the seller and buyer have agreed on the terms and the
contract phase starts.
Cost: Typically, the home inspection is hired
through the homebuyer. The cost ranges around $350 to $500.
The Inspection Process-
Interior: The inside inspection involves all the
cosmetic flaws in a house including moldy tile grout, damaged walls, water
stains, etc.
Exterior: Here the exterior of the home is visually
examined for checking the structural components, frame and foundation of the
home, along with other outer features including steps, doors and windows. The exterior
inspection may find rotted joists, cracks in the foundation, missing siding etc.
The roof, chimney, drainage system and the skylights will be checked. In this
part of the inspection, the flaws such as rusted gutters, worn-out or missing shingles,
will be documented.
Electrical: The electrical inspection checks the
fuses and breakers, and the wire interior of service panels, further, major
appliances including oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer, smoke detectors, etc.
Plumbing: Plumbing inspection covers leaky pipes,
drainage, water supply, fuel storage, hot-water-heating equipment.
Ventilation: The mechanical ventilation and the home
insulation will be examined. In this process, an inspector will look for loose
insulation or mold or water in the insulation.
Heating and cooling: this portion of home inspection
checks venting and heating systems, disconnected fuel pipes or leaking boiler,
chimneys or flues. If the house has central or wall air conditioners, the
energy source and equipment of the cooling system will be checked.
After the Inspection-
In an inspection, all essential aspects including the
home's roof, foundation, mechanical systems, plumbing, etc are checked. Cosmetic
flaws are considered next. All the things are listed down. After the
inspection, the buyer and seller will get a final report on the condition of
the home and any suggestions for necessary repairs and/or improvement. The inspection
is essential for a negotiation process and generally works in the buyer's
favor. Typically, the sellers can fix any serious problems or lower the price.
Home inspection is a very important aspect and you
need to hire a licensed inspector for it. Numerous home inspection companies
are out there; however, like with any profession, some practitioners certainly
outshine others. Choose a qualified and well experienced home inspector and get
ready to enjoy multiple benefits of your smart decision.
© Global Realty & Investment Corp
No comments:
Post a Comment