When purchasing a new home, the mortgage company will normally require that the structure by examined by a certified home inspector. This process is necessary, and it is important that the home owner watches closely what the inspector checks.
There are a lot of things to check in a home that is being purchased, and it is important that everything be checked and if deficient noted so that the seller can make the necessary repairs or possibly offer a reduced price and let the new owner make the repairs.
Some people will be advised of any problem and say that it is not a big deal, but even a small item can turn into a major expense if not quickly corrected. All states do not license home inspectors. The state of Massachusetts, www.mass.gov does require home inspectors to be licensed by the state. Other states allow the companies to certify its employees.
In some states, associations of home inspectors will have its own process for certifying individuals.
The inspector is not expected to find every blemish or cosmetic problem, but there are things he should do. While this is not a complete list, the inspector should check the following.
- Examine the overall physical integrity of the building.
- Determine if there are any low-lying areas if there are any watermarks on the exterior of the building indicating higher water.
- Check electrical outlets and wall switches to see if there is any sparks or burning smells.
- Check all the built-in appliances to make sure they are working.
- Check the exterior of the house for any cracks in the roof line or the foundation.
- Check the hot-water heater and central air-conditioning system.
- He should check the attic to make sure any attic vent fans are working properly and that there is no exposed and uninsulated wiring
He should check the attic to make sure any attic vent fans are working properly and that there is no exposed and uninsulated wiring.
According to Buckeye Home Inspections, “if the house has a chimney, it should be checked at the point where it passes through the roof to determine if there has been any rain leakage from a shifting or the rotting of the wooden planking. The electrical breaker box should be examined to make sure it is easily accessible and does not show any apparent problem.”
It has to be remembered that the inspector may not be a licensed electrician, plumber, or chimney expert. However, he should know enough to determine if there are any potential problems.
The basic definition of a home inspection, according to the Wikipeidia on line encyclopedia, “A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home.”
The definition adds, “A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an inspection to verify compliance with appropriate codes.”
In other words, the inspector is looking for damage, poor maintenance or issues associated with age. All of these problems may not need fixing before the sale, but they can be used to reach a final agreement on the price.
Furthermore, real estate agents will recommend inspectors. There is nothing wrong with this. However, it would be best to get two or three recommendations from the agent and maybe pick one or two from the phone book. It would take a little time, but calling the inspectors could be beneficial. You can ask what their inspection covers and the cost of the inspection.
There are a lot of steps involved in purchasing a house. You have to find the house, agree on a price and then arrange financing. In the meantime, there will be a property appraisal, probably a termite inspection and the home inspection. Be involved in all the inspections, so you will have a better understanding about the investment you are making.
