Why do you need a home inspection when purchasing a home for sale? You are about to make one of the largest single investments of your life when you buy a home. You would not buy a used car without having an expert mechanic check it out, so why would you buy a home without getting an expert opinion? Home inspectors are trained to spot hidden trouble or predict future problems, based on poor condition of mechanical, plumbing, or structural issues. The home inspection can be a great predictor of issues that have not yet failed, but soon may.
HOME INSPECTION REPORT – HOW TO READ IT
Whether handwritten or computer generated, these reports will be divided into the different systems of the home, and contain specific comments about the condition of each one. The home inspector will visually check each system, and make recommendations about repairing, replacing, or calling in an expert to look at health and safety issues he may uncover.
HOME INSPECTION ISSUES – WHAT THE INSPECTOR MIGHT FIND
- Mold or mildew
- Old roof nearing the end of its life span
- Furnace or Air Conditioning Problems
- Outdated electrical panels or wiring which may pose a shock or fire hazard
- Plumbing issues such as leaking or blocked pipes
- Foundation walls that are cracked
- Structural supports that have failed
- Mortar which has been dislodged between bricks and needs to be repointed
- Appliances that are no longer functioning
- Dry or wet rot of wood
- Visual evidence of insect infestation
Some of the issues the home inspector might uncover may be extensive, or very simple and inexpensive to fix. In a well-maintained home there may be little or nothing of significance found in the home inspection, but it is much better to know if there might be any problems before they occur.
THE HOME INSPECTION IS COMPLETE. NOW WHAT DO I DO?
Once you receive your home inspection, contact your agent right away with anything you feel is a concern, and the agent will address that on a repair addendum for the sellers. Negotiation will follow on what the sellers will agree to do and what you and/or your lender will deem necessary. Lenders and appraisers will want certain items that could be health and safety hazards to be fixed or replaced to meet lender guidelines.
You need a home inspection to prevent any expensive surprises with the systems of the home you wish to buy, and make owning a new home a pleasurable and rewarding experience.
The information in this article was provided by Shannon Holmes of RealtySouth. Shannon recommends that you always get a home inspection when buying a home. With top quality real estate service and advice as her goal, Shannon wants to be sure you know why you need a home inspection .
About the author: Shannon Holmes is a recognized leader in the real estate community for her outstanding marketing skills for sellers, and her ability to find the perfect home for her buyers. Shannon and her team specialize in the over the mountain areas of Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Homewood, Chelsea, and the neighborhoods of the Highway 280 corridor in Birmingham, Alabama. She can be reached at (205) 706-3975. Her email is [email protected]. Find out more about her team or search for a home in the Birmingham, Alabama real estate market on her website.
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