A residential home inspection is often scheduled before you actually close on a new home, or before an offer on its price is finalized. Building inspections are also needed during any type of renovation project that affects the home's framework or systems that need to adhere to local building codes. If you need a home inspection for a home you want to buy, or are considering a renovation for your existing home, note a few questions you might have about this inspection, so you know what to expect during the process.
How do you know if you need a home inspection?
When you want to renovate your home, you will often need to get permits for the work, usually from a city or county clerk's office. This department can tell you if and when you actually need a permit for your plans; if so, you will usually need to have inspections done as well. That department can tell you when such inspections are needed and what needs to be inspected, and you can then schedule them accordingly.
For new home purchases, it's always good to have an inspection done, even if you're paying cash for the home. While most lenders require inspections to be done, these can also be beneficial for you, as they can alert you to areas of the home that need repair or that could even be dangerous, such as faulty electrical wiring or a sagging roof.
Are there legal consequences to getting the home inspection done?
If you're renovating your home and an inspection notes that work is not done up to local building codes, you may not be able to get a permit for additional work until corrections are made. However, rarely will a home inspection result in a home being outright condemned; this only happens when a home is in such disrepair that it's not safe for occupancy. These cases are few and far between, so don't assume that a home inspection risks the home being somehow confiscated by the city or that you won't be able to purchase it, even if it needs some repairs.
Who gets the inspection report?
If you pay for the inspection report, it's yours to keep and isn't shared with anyone else. However, you may choose to share it with a homeowner during the buying process, to note needed repairs that affect your offer. You may also need to share it with the city or county clerk in order to get permits for additional work to be done on the home.
Share29 November 2017
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.