Pre-Purchase Inspection: What Exactly Should You Look For?

Real Estate Blog

Many prospective home buyers are familiar with the concept of having their future homes inspected before signing the purchase contract.  However, most of them don't know what the process should entail. A home inspection is more than looking at the furniture, appliances, electrical systems, flooring, bathroom fixtures, and ascertaining that they are in excellent condition. There are other aspects of the structure that if not checked can lead to costly repairs in the future.

 In this light, this article will address some of the crucial parts of the home that should be thoroughly checked during a pre purchase inspection.

The roofing system

The roof is not only an essential structure in a building, but also it is a costly investment. However, very few people take the time to give it a thorough check when buying a house. A leaking roof can spell problems for your home's foundation, walls, painting, and insulation. Ask your inspector to thoroughly inspect the roof for any signs of damage or leakage. If you notice water stains on the ceiling and walls or peeling paint on the exterior walls, this could be a sign that the roof leaks. Do not sign any documents until the roof, gutters, attic space, and flashing have been inspected, and necessary repairs carried out.

Structure's foundation

Your home's foundation is the structure that's holding the entire house on the ground. An unstable foundation can lead to cracks which would eventually jeopardize the stability of the building. Ensure that your inspector has the technical know-how for inspecting it. Look out for vertical or horizontal cracks around the foundation. Use your credit card to measure their thickness. Any crack that's thicker than the card could mean that the structure has foundation problems.

As you inspect the foundation, check the basement as well and look out for signs of flooding or water damage. These include mold, mildew, and water patches on the basement walls. Basement flooding can also weaken the structure's foundation.

Plumbing fixtures

Everyone knows to look at the faucets, toilet's flashing unit, disposal, and other visible plumbing fixtures. In addition to these, you also need to inspect the hidden fixtures. These are the pipes and drains. What material are the pipes made of? How old are they? Let the seller provide these details so that you can ascertain the condition of the fixtures. Look out for weak joints which could cause plumbing disasters in the home. Have the main drain line, sewer system, and leach field inspected as well.

A home inspection should save you from incurring costly repairs that should have been carried out by the previous owner. Hire a professional inspector who is not affiliated with the seller so that you can get an accurate report on the condition of these and other critical aspects of the building.

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16 November 2017

Moving to the Country or the City: Real Estate Blogs

Are you thinking about quitting your corporate job and moving to the country to keep chickens and enjoy the view? Are you tired of small towns and ready to trade your land for a charming house in the city? Are you happy where you are but just need a small change? Then, you are in the right place. Although all of those situations are vastly different, this blog aims to cover them all. Hi. My name is Melissa. Over the years, I've lived all over the country, and I've closely followed the real estate market every place I've been. This blog is the culmination of my experiences. I hope you like it.