Put our experience and knowledge to work on your next home purchase. Hiring another inspector is a RED FLAG you cannot afford to miss!
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The inspector will check for areas where roof damage or poor installation could allow water to enter the home, such as loose, missing, or improperly secured shingles and cracked or damaged mastic around vents. They will also check the condition of the gutters. Home inspectors also do not specifically check for termite damage, mold, asbestos, or water contamination. If you are concerned about these issues, ask your inspector for a heads up if they suspect any of these problems. The inspector will also complete a thorough inspection of the interior of the home. They will inspect everything from the ceiling to the cabinets under the sink.
The home inspector will check all faucets and showers, look for visible leaks and test the water pressure. They will also identify the kind of pipes the house has if any pipes are visible. The inspector may recommend a secondary inspection if the pipes are old to determine if or when they might need to be replaced and how much the work would cost. The inspector will also identify the location of the home's main water shutoff valve. The inspector will identify the kind of wiring the home has, test all the outlets, and make sure there are functional ground fault circuit interrupters (which can protect you from electrocution, electric shock, and electrical burns) installed in areas like the bathrooms, kitchen, garage and outdoors. They will also check your electrical panel for any safety issues and check your electrical outlets to ensure they do not present a fire hazard.
Legally, you don't have to get anything fixed after a home inspection. However, you may not be able to obtain financing if the house has electrical issues, water damage, structural issues, damaged roofing, problems with HVAC, poor plumbing, or infestations of pests like rats, mice, or insects.3 After a home inspection, you can ask your broker to negotiate any necessary repairs with the sellers or ask the sellers to lower the price so you can fix the problems yourself. Getting quotes from local contractors will help you write out a counter offer based on estimates, but a buyer should be aware that a seller is not obligated to fix anything. During the inspection, ask the inspector what they will inspect and what isn't covered in the inspection. Ask them about anything you are worried about, like a sagging roof, poor electrical, or rusty or slow-flowing water out of the taps. Don't be afraid of asking questions during the inspection from "is this a big problem or a little problem?" and if they can explain any functions of the home you might not be familiar with, like a fireplace or an oil burner.
Home Inspector Near MeA home inspection contingency allows buyers to hire a professional who will tell them about major and minor issues with a home before purchasing it.Many lenders won't offer financing on a home without an inspection. Home inspections can uncover potentially life-threatening problems like mold or faulty wiring that could cause a significant fire. Most potential buyers have a seven-day window after a home inspection to walk away from the purchase. A thorough inspection is a critical step in purchasing a home.
Remember, because an inspection is not a pass/fail test, it will open the door for renegotiation. You’re not obligated to fix anything, but the buyer can also walk away if they’re not satisfied. In a home sale, there can be two types of home inspections: A seller’s inspection (or a pre-listing inspection) and a buyer’s inspection. A seller’s home inspection happens before the home is listed. Some sellers choose to get their home inspected as they’re beginning to prepare their house for sale, so they can fix any potential issues beforehand and save time in the closing process. We’ll touch on the positives and negatives of a pre-inspection a little later.
