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Suppose you bought a house
and later discovered, to your dismay, that the
stucco exterior concealed a nasty case of dry rot.
Or suppose that when you fired up the furnace in
the winter, you discovered a cracked heat
exchanger leaking gas into your home. The best way
to avoid unpleasant surprises like these is to
arrange for a home inspection before you buy.
Home Inspections Help You
Avoid Unpleasant Surprises
A good home inspection is an objective,
top-to-bottom examination of a home and everything
that comes with it. The standard inspection report
includes a review of the home's heating and
air-conditioning systems; plumbing and wiring;
roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows,
doors, foundation and basement.
Getting a professional
inspection is crucial for older homes because age
often takes its toll on the roof and other
hard-to-reach areas. Problems can also be the
result of neglect or hazardous repair work, such
as a past owner's failed attempt to install lights
and an outlet in a linen closet.
A home inspection is also a
wise investment when buying a new home. In fact,
new homes frequently have defects, whether caused
by an oversight during construction or simply
human error.
Getting an Inspector
Real estate agents can usually recommend an
experienced home inspector. Make sure to get an
unbiased inspector. You can find one through
word-of-mouth referrals, or look in the Yellow
Pages or online under "Building Inspection" or
"Home Inspection."
Home inspections cost about
a few hundred dollars, depending on the size of
the house and location. Inspection fees tend to be
higher in urban areas than in rural areas. You may
find the cost of inspection high, but it is money
well spent. Think of it as an investment in your
investment – your future home.
Some builders may try to
dissuade you from getting a home inspection on a
home they've built. They may not necessarily be
trying to hide anything because most builders
guarantee their work and will fix any problems in
your new home before you move in. Some builders,
in fact, will offer to do their own inspections.
But it’s best to have an objective professional
appraisal - insist on a third-party inspector.
An Inspection Will
Educate You about Your House
Education is another good reason for getting
an inspection. Most buyers want to learn as much
as they can about their purchase so they can
protect their investment. An examination by an
impartial home inspector helps in this learning
process.
Ask if you can follow the
home inspector on his or her rounds. Most
inspectors are glad to share their knowledge, and
you'll be able to ask plenty of questions.
Inspection Timing and
Results
Homebuyers usually arrange for an inspection
after signing a contract or purchase agreement
with the seller. The results may be available
immediately or within a few days. The home
inspector will review his or her findings with you
and alert you to any costly or potentially
hazardous conditions. In some cases, you may be
advised not to buy the home unless such problems
are remedied.
You could include a clause
in your purchase agreement that makes your
purchase contingent upon satisfactory inspection
results. If major problems are found, you can back
out of the deal. If costly repairs are warranted,
the seller may be willing to adjust the home's
price or the contract's terms. But when only minor
repairs are needed, the buyer and seller can
usually work out an agreement that won't affect
the sale price.
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