5 Reasons a House Inspection is Important Before the Closing Date

With few exceptions, the buying a house is by far the largest purchase a family will ever make. Buyers may not always realize the vast number of potential pitfalls that can reside within the structure and systems of even a small house. Very few people have the level of experience needed to inspect a house and find most or all of the problems hidden in and around a home. As a new owner, a good inspection should let you buy and move into the house with a higher degree of confidence.

Locating a qualified home inspector is crucial.

Most decent real estate agents can recommend at least one good inspector. Because of the high price of a house, it may be all but impossible for a new owner to afford all of the needed repairs. Having a high quality home inspection can help you to avoid buying a home that has too many hidden but costly defects.

Finding existing problems can help the buyer choose how to proceed with the purchase.

Many times fixing these repair items can be included as the seller's responsibility before the deal can be closed. At other times, the defects can be used as bargaining chips to get price reductions or other concessions from the home owner. However the buyer chooses to approach the problems that are discovered is not as important as the fact that the buyer is aware of them during the decision making process.

A home inspection should uncover structural issues.

House inspections will explore all parts of the dwelling looking for structural issues that are a problem or could become one in the near future. Inspections should include the attic, basement or crawl space, roof, and foundation. During this phase of the inspection, even termite damage may be uncovered. However, a true termite inspection is normally accomplished by a certified exterminator.

Major home systems are next in the inspection list.

Air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical wiring are a vital part of a house inspection. In extremely cold conditions, some air conditioners cannot be adequately tested. The water must be on to do the plumbing inspection. It is best to insist that the power and gas be on so that all systems can receive a good test. Repairs on untested areas can prove quite costly.

The quality of the materials and workmanship also factor into the house inspection.

How well the finishing items, like the trim, have been installed can affect the value of a house. If inferior materials have been used during construction, the life expectancy of the house can be significantly shortened. The overall maintenance of the home needs to be looked at during this time.