What To Inspect When Buying A Home

What To Inspect When Buying A Home

A home is a huge investment. Probably one of the biggest you’ll have to make. This is why you should look at every tiny detail of any home you’re considering before making up your mind. While it is absolutely important to hire a professional home inspector, it is also crucial for you to know what the inspector ought to look at. If you decide to purchase the property, you’ll be the one to live in the home not the inspector. What if you decide not to hire a home inspector? You’ll still have a clear idea of what to look at during inspection.

Areas to inspect when buying a home   

1. General home inspection

What makes a house a good home for you and your family? Start by inspecting the basics such as the roof, plumbing, foundation, electrical system, and everything else that will make the place functional when you move in. You may start from the exterior of the building and work your way to the interior parts. Pay a whole lot of attention to the basement.

While inspecting the exterior part of the home, look out for issues such as:

• Structural defects with a deck or porch
• Window problems
• Bulkhead issues
• Cracking Chimney or re-pointing issues
• Grading issues that are causing potential water penetration
• Wood and trim rot
• Failing roof

While inspecting the interior part of the building, pay close attention to these:

• Broken windows or skylight seals
• A heating system past its life expectancy
• An air conditioning system past its life expectancy
• Electrical issues such as doubt tapped breakers, grounding issues and lack of GFCI protection
• Leaking pipes around the boiler
• Structural cracks in the foundation

While these are the most common issues, pay attention to every area of the home. You may observe something your home inspector have missed.

2. Septic system

Septic systems must be managed appropriately for them to function optimally. When you’re looking to buy a home, look closely to ensure that the septic system is working correctly. Replacing a septic system is costly. The way out? Check the bedroom capacity the septic system is rated for. For instance, if the septic system is rated for two bedroom, the home should not be marketed as a three bedroom, even if it has three bedrooms.

3. Mold

Never end your home inspection without looking out for mold. Sometimes you may not see mold anywhere but end up with them when you move in. So look out for anywhere moisture manages to penetrate the shell of the home. Such spot could turn out to be a breeding ground for mold. But don’t freak out when you see mold. Some are very easy to fix while others such as the Stachybotrys chartarum is toxic. Your home inspector should be able to tell you what type of mold is in the home so you wouldn’t spend a fortune on mold removal.

4. Pests/ Insects infestation

Pests and insects infestation can cause a whole lot of damage to almost any structure. For instance, termite infestation can ruin the entire structure of a home if left unattended. Some homes are infested with bed bugs, rodents, or even bats in their attic. So look closely to ensure the home you’re inspecting isn’t a pest or insect haven. And if it is, consider how much you’ll spend to fix the problem before you start negotiating the property cost.

5. Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors

Your home inspection should include a careful examination of existing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and how well they function. And if there’s need for a replacement, you shouldn’t hesitate to point that out to the homeowner. So look out for the smoke and carbon monoxide detector to ensure they are working appropriately.  

6. Lead paint

Many older structures often contain lead paint. While the paint is safe until you ingest it, the current homeowner is obligated to inform you about the presence of a lead paint. If you intend to have kids in the home, you should be more concerned about the paint issue. Your home inspector should be able to tell you if the home has a lead paint or not. Don’t forget, lead paint is the only federally mandated item that all sellers must disclose to potential buyers during a sale.

Final thought

Other areas you shouldn’t overlook include the presence of radon, well water if the home is not connected to a public system, asbestos, and toxic materials. Don’t omit any other thing listed on your personal checklist.