12/21/2022
Buying a home will always be a major commitment for your personal finances. That's why you can't leave anything to chance or settle for incomplete information about the property that will be your home. This time, we will evaluate what you should inspect before buying a home.
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How the home inspection process works
A home inspection is an opportunity for you to hire an expert to guide you through the process.
In addition to pointing out possible defects in the home, he or she will be in charge of preparing a report on the current condition of the facilities, what needs to be fixed immediately or what will require maintenance later.
The importance of the inspection lies in what it can do for the buyer. It tells you concretely the level of care the property has received during the owners' tenure since occupancy or construction.
If you are not satisfied with the overall condition of the house, you can ask for a rebate or tell the owner to take care of the repairs in order to make the sale and purchase.
How to hire a home inspector?
Before moving on to critical inspections of the house you want to buy, you need to look for an inspector.
Whether he is recommended by a real estate agent, a friend or you look him up in a directory, ask him for a sample report to see how he works. This is so you know what he includes, the clarity of his observations and the notes he makes.
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As a general rule, the purchase contract should include a clause about this procedure that indicates how many days you have to make the inspection.
Depending on how the market is moving in your chosen area, one of 2 things can happen: properties are selling fast, giving you a few days; properties are taking a long time to sell, giving you a week or more.
Our recommendation is that you look for an appraiser before receiving the mortgage loan approval. This way you don't waste time once you have the money in hand and are ready to make an offer.
Remember that good inspectors are usually in high demand, especially during the spring when real estate sales are at their peak.
How much does a home inspection cost?
In the United States, the average cost of an inspection is around $350-$600 depending on the size of the property and its location.
On the other hand, you will need an additional estimate in case the expert finds other problems, such as mold, asbestos or unpermitted construction. Ask the owner if he or she will give you more time to investigate these issues.
Inspections to do before buying a home
Beyond the basic documents, such as the property deeds or possible debts, we will pay attention to the physical inspection of the property.
The great advantage of this process is that it allows you to make a more informed decision so that you can decide whether to take care of the repairs or opt to request a discount on the price.
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Home inspection with a professional
The home inspector will be in charge of giving you a clearer idea about the defects that the house might have, the possible future expenses and the most appropriate solutions. These professionals are in charge of checking:
- Ground. This includes the condition of the drainage, septic seepage (if any) and how the fences, sidewalks and driveway are doing.
- Structure. This considers the alignment of windows, slope of the property, signs of subsidence and exposed foundations.
- Safety. This review considers the condition of railings, handrails, stairs, and the operation of sprinklers and carbon monoxide and fire alarms.
- Piping. The internal review includes hot water temperature, leaks or damage to pipes and function of toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers.
- Electrical system. The surveyor evaluates the condition of the fuse box, light fixtures, fans, outlets and how the wiring looks.
- Heating and cooling. The check looks at the operation of the boiler, AC, fireplace and radiator.
- Roof. Consideration is given to repairs to flat roofs, condition of shingles, chimney failures, operational gutters and clean vents.
- Basement. This examination addresses leaks or damage to floors, foundation and walls.
Keep in mind that properties may have one defect or another and an inspector can tell you which ones you should address most urgently. So ask any questions you have.
And if there are problems with lead paint, asbestos, radon, mold, foundations or pests, we suggest you consult with specialists in these areas. The inspection of your next home should not be taken lightly and you should try to have every detail under control to make your investment worthwhile.
Español: ¿Cómo inspeccionar una casa que queremos comprar?