If you are still wondering why the emphasis on not skipping home inspection has been so much, it’s not far from this major factor of having a chance to explore your new home further and ask your inspector questions as you go.
Seeing the home inspection process can be much more informative than reading the report on its own. And it can give you some perspective on how major or minor each issue is.
As a buyer, the home inspection is the last opportunity to discover problems or defects with the house before purchasing, and uncover defects with the house.
However, you don’t need to be concerned with the number of defects listed on your report — many will be so minor you won’t bother fixing them. Instead, pay attention to the severity of the home’s issues.
Since you might wish to make the closing contingent on the results of the home inspection, the home inspection occurs after the buyer has signed a purchase agreement and before the final closing date, in a typical real estate transaction.
Let’s get to the ball game. What should you look out for when you go for a home inspection?
Exterior and Interior
Remember, the first impression lasts longer. The exterior of your home is the first place of contact your visitors will have. Therefore, you should consider the current condition of the exterior painting to affirm if there is bubbling or peeling.
Be on the lookout for the condition of fixtures such as ornamental trim, rain gutters, fences, sheds, decks, detached spaces, and rooflines.
So also, you do not want to be cramped in a poorly ventilated room. During an inspection, it’s important you check the room sizes and how ventilated they are. All walls, floors, and ceilings inside the home should be checked for any deflection.
This would help you know the extent of repair that would be needed for the exterior and interior.
Building Amenities
Your home is the place you retire to at the end of each tiresome and perhaps stressful day. It should guarantee your comfort, safety, security, and peace of mind. However, this may not be the case if you have to deal with a repair issue every now and then. Therefore, It’s important to affirm if the amenities as promised are in good condition and are functioning properly.
Answer these questions;
1.) Does the home have strong and durable electrical panels that is capable of powering all your devices and appliances?
2.) Are there unsafe openings for outsiders to access?
3.) Are there any loose electrical outlets and flickering lights?
4.) Is there any leakage faucet or fixture?
Structure
Structural issues can wreak havoc such as sloping floors, cracks or bulging walls or ceilings, sagging roofs, crumbling concrete/brick, and soil pulling away from house walls. The home inspection is your right to take an objective visual examination for any red flag in the structure formation of your prospective home.
Although, everyday wear and tear from harsh weather conditions, natural disasters could diminish structural integrity. It’s therefore advisable to inspect your property regularly after purchase. Then, get the expert eyes of a professional structural engineer at the sight of any sign of a structural problem.
Meanwhile, the duration of an inspection varies widely, mostly depending on the factors of home size, number of defects, and thoroughness of the inspector. Be it may, duly ensure that you are thorough with your inspection, during the number of hours spent.