When buying a new home, the first couple of weeks of the process involve finding out as much as you can about the home to decide if it is the right house for you. This begs the question for every first time home buyer, "What are inspections?"
Inspections occur during the first 17 days after an offer has been accepted. This amount of time can be adjusted when making the offer and does not have to take the full amount of time allotted. This period is the only time after the offer has been accepted and before the close of the deal that the buyer has a right to access to the home. All access needs to be scheduled ahead of time of course!
The purpose of inspections is to pinpoint any facts about the house that might break the deal for you, to know the defects of the house before purchasing, and to ensure the systems in the home are working. As the buyer, you decide which inspections to schedule and thus are responsible for paying for the inspections unless otherwise negotiated in the contract. They range in cost so you want to make sure to get the best ones for your budget based on the house you are buying. For example, if it is an older home with large trees in the front yard, you may want to get a sewer line inspection to make sure the roots haven't damaged the lines. Or, if you are interested in a home that gets water from a well, you may want to get an inspection and the water tested.
Below are a few standard inspections that I recommend considering:
Home Inspection
This is a standard inspection that is highly recommended with any home purchase. For this one, an inspector will go through the home and take general note of the things they see, test your systems (A/C, Dishwasher, Stove, ETC.), and give you a report based on their findings. They are not experts in any one system. So, while they will test the A/C temperature, they will not be able to certify an A/C or tell you what is wrong with it. They can recommend an expert come out if they see something that might need an additional opinion or if there are any signs of trouble.
Termite/Pest Inspection
This is also a highly recommended inspection for any home. It is a common misunderstanding that only old homes can have pest infestations. Pests can attack a newer home as well. It can save a lot of time and money down the road to hire a pest inspector. Not only do they inspect for pests, they also inspect for potential risk factors the home may have and disclose those items in their report. A termite inspector will also note any water damage they see or recommend a roof pro if they notice an issue with the roof. They are not roof experts, but if they notice something, they will disclose that in their report.
Roof Inspection
For roofs that are not brand new, it is common to get a roof inspection. Usually the inspection is accompanied by a certification for a couple of years-depending on what your inspector provides. While they are there, they will notate any damage to the roof, quote how much the work will cost to fix it, and provide you a certification if no work is needed. Getting this inspection can help you gauge how long the roof will last, what type of roof it is, and get familiar with any red flags it may have.
A/C Inspection
Depending on the age and condition of the A/C and heating system, it is a good idea to get it inspected. Different companies offer different types of inspections, some even include inspections of the ducts. They will provide a report with their findings and you can ask them any questions you may have on the condition of the A/C or heating system.
Camera Line Inspection
If there are large trees in the yard-or used to be large trees in the yard- or if it is an older home, you can get a plumber to come out with a camera and inspect the line out to the street. This will tell you if you have any eroded pipes, the condition of your pipes, and if tree roots have interfered with them at all. Do this inspection, could save you the surprise of big money for big repairs later.
After inspections, you know what your house needs and you can request repairs from the seller and your Realtor can negotiate with them. Repairs are not guaranteed which is why you need the best Realtor to be working for you!
None of these inspections are required. But, the home inspection and termite inspection are always recommended. If you choose not to inspect the home you intend to purchase, you will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging that it is against the advice of the real estate broker to do so. The best way to protect yourself and prepare for whats to come is to have all the information, which is what makes inspections so important!
Comments