Get a Professional Inspection Before You Buy!
By Michael Allen
June 18, 2008
Having a home inspection done before closing the deal on a new home is very important. Even though you may not be required to do so, getting a thorough home inspection will alert you to any problem areas in the house and its systems. Home inspectors are trained to find problems that may not be apparent to most people. The above video just illustrates what you should look for in a home inspector, it is not an endorsement for the inspection company.
The home inspector will check for defects on the outside of the house. He will look for structural problems and check the roof for leaks or other defects. He may walk on the roof if possible, or he might inspect it from a ladder. The inspector will also examine doors, windows, and decks on the outside. Even driveways and walkways may be inspected. He will also check for proper rainwater drainage. This is important to prevent damage to the house’s foundation and even potential flooding during a heavy rain. (Yes, it has happened to me!)
Once the outside of the house has been thoroughly inspected, the inspector will move on to the inside. Ceilings, doors, and walls will be checked for defects and signs of structural damage or water leakage. The attic will also be inspected for similar problems, as well as adequate ventilation and insulation.
The basement and crawl space (if applicable, of course) are an important part of the inspection. The home inspector will check the foundation walls to ensure that they have no critical weaknesses. He will also look for signs of water intrusion and other defects.
The inspector will test the home’s electrical system for shorts or other wiring problems. He will also test for proper grounding. He will check for proper capacity and size of the electrical panel, and check for unsafe wiring materials.
The plumbing will be thoroughly checked. The inspector will determine what types of pipes are used, ensure that they are functioning correctly, and check for adequate water pressure and flow. He will inspect all fixtures, toilets, and drains for damage and proper function.
Heating and air conditioning systems will be checked for functionality and safety. The inspector will determine whether or not heating and cooling are distributed to all areas that they should be distributed to. He will check for carbon monoxide (this is absolutely critical!) and possibly advise you if there are any ways that energy conservation could be improved.
The inspector will check throughout the home for evidence of termites or other wood-destroying insects. This is one of the most important parts of the inspection. Normally, the home inspector will only look for obvious issues here. An inspection by a certified pest control company is usually required by the lender and if not MUST be required by you! They will inspect for prior or current damage, existence of current infestation or evidence of a prior infestation. This is a vital consideration to you before closing on your purchase.
Home inspectors primarily look for signs of problems that could cause structural damage or safety concerns. These problems may or may not be known to the home’s current owner. It is important, actually essential, to know the condition of the home you are buying to prevent any unpleasant surprises. They should be finding any issues of “deferred maintenance” so you can decide if you want to have it fixed before closing or negotiate a price concession to do it after you are in the house.
Any major issues will likely be required by the lender to be fixed before closing. However, in most cases these will be brought up by the appraiser and noted as problems on his report. Many, if not most times, the lender does not see the inspection report. That is just for you and any issues will be between you and the seller to work out, as indicated above.
Listen to this horror story….I saw a show on HGTV (House & Garden TV) a few months ago where they were doing a “makeover” of a kitchen for a family. The family bought the house and shortly after the owner nearly fell through the living room floor! They discovered the house was totally consumed by mold! they had nearly gutted the entire house, stripping all the sheetrock inside, gutting the kitchens and baths and then treating the insides of the walls to kill the mold. Then they were having to rebuild the entire interior of the home. In addition, the whole family was sick most of the time for many months from mold exposure. I was astonished at this show to say the least.
Why would anyone have bought a home without an inspection? Why did they not sue eveyone involved? The Real Estate Agent, the seller, the lender, the appraiser, everyone. More than one of these people (all alleged “professionals”) should have discovered a problem this HUGE! They should have moved outimmediately and filed suits against all of them and sought to have the whole transaction rescinded.
They should have been able to give the house back, rescind the entire transaction, have the seller repay them for all their costs plus damages and go find a safe house to live in. It was a total life changing disaster for this family and they were bearing all the consequences to their finances and health on their own.
NOTE THIS! Once these buyers kept the house and started fixing the damage on their own, they were committed to keep it. If they ever want to sell this house, they may not be able to AT ALL! Even if they can, they will take a huge hit to the price by any half-way knowledgeable buyer because the house has a “tainted history”
That is one big reason I set this blog up and created the Easy Homebuyer’s Toolkit I don’t want anything like that to happen to you, ever!
To learn more about the Toolkit, enter you name and email in the top right corner of the blog and get our free 5 lesson mini-course on “How To Buy a House”.
If you have any stories to tell that you have experienced or heard, post them below and share with others so everyone can learn the things to watch out for when buying their dream home. So it will truly be a dream and not a nightmare!
Happy House Hunting…Just remember to get the inspections!
