Uncover Hidden Problems With A Proper Home Inspection

A home inspection can make or break a home purchase. This is one of the most important purchases one will ever make and the home inspection is one of the critical steps that need to be taken when purchasing your home. This procedure is a thorough evaluation of the home’s condition by a professional and in majority of all cases; it’s required by lenders to obtain a mortgage. It’s important to conduct a home inspection to avoid a costly mistake when purchasing a property in need of major repairs.  Even if you think you have found your dream home, if major problems are discovered, this will allow the buyer to cancel the contract on the property.

Inspect the home you are interested in yourself when doing the first and second walk through of the house before moving forward in the buying process. This will eliminate houses that have significant visible problems. A personal inspection will help you identify issues to mention to the professional inspector if you decide you want a thorough inspection. Look at the roof, condition of the porch, the appearance of the paint or siding, and the gutter systems on the exterior. Check windows and ceilings for signs of leaking water inside the house. Listen for noises in plumbing or any electrical issues in the home, such as exposed wiring and lighting problems. If the heating or cooling system is active when you are there, take note of the effects on the temperature in the house. If there is a basement, check for signs of water damage and flooding.

Following your own inspection, hire an experienced and professional inspector. The home may look move in ready, but an inspector may unveil issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye. Ask the inspector how long he has been performing inspections, and what type of certifications they have. Find out what will be inspected during the home inspection and how long the process will take. Standard single-family home inspections are at least two to five hours, depending on the size of the property.

Home inspections may reveal problems with a home that could be pricey to fix. This can be used as leverage in purchasing negotiations with the seller.  As a potential buyer you may be able to negotiate the price dependent on what the home inspector has found.  If a massive amount of issues were found within the home, the potential buyer now has a couple options in negotiations.  If the issues aren’t that extreme you could negotiate a credit with the sellers, have the seller pay for repairs before the closing. You can purchase the property as is with further negotiation with the purchase price, or walk away from the purchase if the issues seem too problematic.

A valuable educational opportunity would be to follow the inspector during the inspection and ask any questions you have. Take notes during the walk-through, as the inspector will point out any future problems you may encounter. This will give the buyer peace of mind knowing the exact state of the property.

Majority of professional home inspections do not include additional tests, such as checking for lead paint, radon, pest infestations and mold. The home inspector will recommend these types of specialized tests if he believes one of these issues exists in the home or is a known problem in the surrounding neighborhood.

"A full home inspection...is the best defense against future liability for the seller and the most assured way a buyer can feel comfortable with there home purchase!"