New Home Inspection Tips

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

A thorough inspection of your new home now can save a lot of headaches later.

Wondering what inspections to get when buying a house? You’re asking the right questions. There are many different types of home inspections, and you want to make sure you’re getting the right ones. So, to you get the most of your it, here are some home inspection tips for buyers to follow.

HOME INSPECTION TIPS THAT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY AND HEADACHES DOWN THE ROAD

Your home inspection professional with have a lengthy checklist of things to examine and evaluate, but common home inspections don’t always cover everything you need to check.

Before you hire a professional to inspect your future home, make sure he or she can with the following:

• Roofing: A roof can be one of the most expensive home components to replace. Make sure your inspection professional takes a close look at the roof and its integrity.
• Siding: Check the integrity of the home’s siding, too. This is especially important with homes made using stucco. Stucco can last forever when properly installed, but too often poor installation can lead to leaks and other issues.
• Plumbing: This isn’t always included in a basic home inspection, but make sure you have someone check the home’s plumbing system. This is one of the most important systems in the home, and its function and effectiveness is of the utmost importance.
• Wiring: Older homes with original electrical wiring may need updates. Have your inspector take a look at the wiring and provide an honest evaluation.
• Expansions: Has your potential home been added onto? If so, make sure that the addition was built professionally and that it seamlessly blends with the original portion of the house.
• Drainage: You want to avoid drainage issues at all costs. Have your inspector take a look at the drainage system, sloping and grading of the home.

Additional inspections and tests that you may want to have done:

• Termite and Pest Inspection: Signs of insect damage from insects like termites could be a good reason to back out of a deal. If a home is infested with insects, those insects are hard to get rid of — and the damage they cause can be difficult to repair. Pest inspections are required for VA loans.
• Mold Testing: Some special inspections include an air quality report, which can show whether or not there’s mold present in the home. This is a good inspection to have, as mold can be a threat to both the value of the home and your health.
• Foundation Inspection: If you are concerned about the foundation of your home or the ground it is sitting on, have a structural engineer take a look. Your regular home inspector should be able to tell you if this is necessary.
• Radon Testing: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be found in some homes. This test is typically inexpensive and well worth it if you are in an area where this is a common issue.
• Lot Size Surveying: This will to ensure that you know exactly where the property lines are and verify the size of the lot. The cost of this service depends on the size of the property.
• Chimney Inspection: If your potential new home has a fireplace and chimney, you may want to have a chimney inspection done.l This involves the analysis of the chimney itself, the flue, joints connectors and interior chimney walls.
• Water Inspection: This may be especially important if the potential home utilizes well water. This will test for water hardness, as well as for dangerous contaminants like lead and arsenic.

There may be other things that need examination if your home is much older. For example, a shortage of materials after World War II meant many new homes’ plumbing systems were built with less durable alternatives.

So, if the home you want to buy was built in the mid to late 1940s, checking the pipes and making sure they have been replaced/updated is a must.

HOME INSPECTION TIPS FOR BUYERS

Are you ready for your home inspection? Here are some simple tips to follow for first time buyers:

• Get a Recommendation: Your real estate agent should be able to recommend a good inspection company. Make sure your agent knows you want the , this is not the time to cut corners.
• Be Present for the Inspection: The inspector will most likely want to point some things out to you and explain any notes he or she is making on the report. This is an important step, but it’s only possible if you’re present for the inspection.
• Bring in Other Pros if Needed: If your inspector doesn’t look at the plumbing system or doesn’t offer air quality services, feel free to bring in a third party. There’s nothing wrong with having someone else come in to look at a specific portion of the home.
• Ask Questions: You are likely paying for the inspection, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Ask as many questions as you want, and make sure you feel comfortable with the home. After all, a house is the biggest investment most people will ever make in their lives.

Your inspection is the one chance you have to get an expert to examine and evaluate the home. Don’t miss out on this opportunity by choosing the wrong service or by not getting the most out of it.

If we can be of help during this process, please call the professionals at SERVPRO of Salem/Peabody/Marblehead at 978.744.4545