Over 5 million homes are sold in the United States each year. With all of the different homes on the market, finding the best one will require some professional help. Working with a reputable and experienced real estate agent can help you find the best and most affordable housing in your area.
First-time home buyers fail to realize just how time-consuming and difficult purchasing a piece of property is. In most cases, the company providing your mortgage will require the property in question to undergo a local home inspection.
The last thing you want to do is invest your hard-earned money into a home that has lots of hidden problems and damage. A thorough home inspection will help you find out about any issues a home may have.
The following are some of the things you need to consider when attempting to avoid home inspection mistakes.
Showing Up For the Home Inspection is a Must
As previously mentioned, the home purchasing process is a very involved and time-consuming affair. While you may have to take a few hours off of work to attend your home inspection, it is worth the effort invested. Unless you get a firsthand look at what the inspector is doing, you will be unable to determine whether or not this process if done properly.
Before going to a home inspection, you should make a list of questions to ask. Some newcomers to the world of home buying are often embarrassed to ask questions. An experienced home inspector will have no problem explaining in detail what they are looking for.
By having a list of questions, you can be sure that all of the bases are covered during the home inspection. Failing to properly prepare for this experience can leave you feeling confused about whether or not to buy a particular home.
Choose Someone You Trust to Perform the Local Home Inspection
Inspecting a home is a very complicated process. This is why using an inspector with a great deal of experience is essential. Rushing through the selection of a home inspector can suck all of the fun out of buying a home for the first time.
Before choosing a home inspector to perform this important job, you need to find out more about their previous work. One of the best ways to assess how well a home inspector has performed for others in the past is by looking at the online reviews they have.
If you are like most modern consumers, the first place you go to verify the legitimacy of a company before using them is the Internet. With a quick Google search, you can find all of the information you need to make the right home inspector hire.
The Proof is in the Pictures
When looking for a home inspector, be sure to inquire about the methods they use to perform this work. Ideally, you want to find a home inspector that takes pictures of the parts of a home they inspect. Having these pictures can help you provide proof to the home seller regarding problems that have been found.
The best home inspectors use things like infrared and thermal cameras. These cameras provide a potential buyer with a look behind the walls of the home. Without this technology, you will have to remove the walls of a potential home purchase to get this information.
You should have no problem finding a home inspector that uses this technology due to how accessible it is. By asking these pressing questions, you can figure out which home inspector is the right fit for the job at hand.
Pay Close Attention to the Condition of the Roof
One of the most important parts of any home is the roof. Without a functional roof, things like water damage and the development of mold are almost certain. During the inspection of a home, you need to make sure the inspector you hire pays close attention to the condition of the roof.
Performing your own pre-inspection is a great way to detect damage to this part of the residence. If you notice things like curled or missing shingles, be sure to bring these issues to the attention of the home inspector.
Finding out information like whether or not the roof in question has a warranty is also important. Often times, your home inspector will get on the roof to perform the inspection. This will provide them with a better vantage, which is important when trying to discover problems.
Know The Difference Between Structural Damage and Cosmetic Issues
Before going to a home inspection, you need to take some time to learn some of the terms you may hear during this process. Often times, home inspectors will use phrases like structural damage or cosmetic issues. Knowing the difference between these two things can make this experience much easier.
Cosmetic issues will be things like a scratch on an interior wall or discoloration on a bathtub. While these issues may reduce the appeal a home has, they can be fixed fairly easily. Making a list of the cosmetic issues a home has will allow you to show them to the homeowner later when trying to get a reduced price.
Structural damage is far more serious than cosmetic issues. If the structural integrity of a home is affected, it can lead to things like a roof or wall collapse. With the help of a home inspector, you can identify these serious problems and find out how hard it will be to fix them.
Take Your Time to Find the Right Home Inspector
If you are in the market for a local home inspection, you need to focus on choosing the right company to perform this work. Taking the time to research all of the home inspectors in your area is essential when trying to make the right decision.
Are you in the market for a comprehensive home inspection? If so, contact us now to find out how we can help.