So, your offer has been accepted and you are in the process of buying your home. What is next? Get a home inspection! The home inspection process is very important. A good home inspection is a key to making sure that you not only get a home that you love but that your home is a solid investment. Let’s talk about a few helpful things to pay special attention to when the time comes to inspect your home.
1. Home structure
To assess the home’s foundation and framing, the home inspector will pay special attention to things such as:
- Weather
- Gravity
- Soil
If the home does show signs of structural or foundational movement, the home inspector will recommend a structural engineer to come to check it out.
2. Roof
The inspector will look for things such as:
- Age
- Drainage systems
- Gutter & downspouts
- Loose or buckled shingles
3. Electrical
Keep in mind, this is not a full electrical inspection that could be done by a licensed electrician. They will not open up walls and do a full electrical inspection. However, you will know if the home does have electrical issues because the home inspector will assess things such as:
- Breakers
- Outlets
- Electrical systems
- Sufficent outlets in each room
- GFCI outlets in kitchen and bathroom
- Service panels of anything visibile
3. Interior
With this aspect of the home inspection process, your inspector will be looking for things like:
- Walls
- Countertops
- Stairs
- Signs of leaks
- Wood rot
- Insect or water damage
- Construction defects
4. Exterior
Your home inspector will walk around the exterior of the property and check for potential problems. Some of the issues might be found with:
- Sidewalks
- Driveways
- WIndows
- Siding
- Trim
5. Plumbing
The plumbing is a very important part of the inspection process. If you sense a deeper problem, you should have a licensed plumber look at and run a camera through the plumbing system for further assurance. With that said, the home inspector will look for things like:
- Poor water pressure
- Banging pipes
- Rust or corrosion
6. Heating and Air
Your inspector will thoroughly check:
- Ducts
- HVAC unit and water heater are the proper sizes
- Units are functioning properly
- Water heater age and energy rating
7. Fireplace
A fireplace can be a charming addition to your home, but it can also be quite dangerous if it is not functioning properly. If your house contains a fireplace, your inspector should take a look at it. The inspector will check:
- Vent
- Flute
These are the main things that your inspector will check in a good home inspection. There are other things with an overall home inspection, but it is so important to make sure these elements are checked! A home inspection is necessary for making a good investment.
