When you hire a home inspector, you want him to look for negatives. If he doesn’t find problems before you sell or buy a home, there will be trouble later on. You can count on it.
When someone wants to buy a home, they’re going to see things like how the house is built, how the floors and walls are covered, and what modern conveniences are included, just to name a few. The inspector looks deeper into the structural, mechanical, and electrical condition of the property.
The home inspector’s job is to give a prospective home buyer a report showing the major flaws of significant components and systems of the home. You want him to be thorough, but consider this. Depending on the laws and regulations where you live, there may be some things your inspector won’t inspect because a specific license may be required for dealing with these matters.
Ask your inspector if he inspects for problems with asbestos, radon gas, lead paint, toxic mold, and pest control. He may recommend important environmental testing be done for the property.
Remember, all homes will show problems, even a newly constructed home. The inspector’s report is to let you know the condition of the home. When you know what kind of shape the house is in, you can evaluate what needs to be done, what it will cost, and what options are best.
Opinions will vary greatly on what problems should be dealt with immediately and which ones can be dealt with later, if at all. How much money will need to be spent now as opposed to later. Your inspector will provide you with guidance, but you should get a second opinion on major areas of concern.
You can expect minor problems in every home. Houses age and require a certain amount of maintenance. It’s your inspector’s job simply to report to you on the overall condition of the house. Problems don’t mean the house is a bad deal. Talk over any concerns with your realtor, trusted contractors, your lawyer, or anyone else who can help you figure out the costs and risks associated with selling or buying the home.
You might also be surprised at the little things you can do yourself if you’re selling a home. For example, one major area of concern is plumbing. According to the American Water Works Association, almost 15 percent of all the water used in a typical household is wasted through plumbing leaks, leaky faucets and wasted water. You’ll do well to find and fix those problems. This will save money on water and energy bills for you and a prospective buyer.
Did you know you can get an inexpensive water alarm to help find water problems? For about ten bucks you can get an alarm to put in possible problem areas to give you early warning to help avoid possible water damage. Put alarms in places like near washing machines, hot water heaters, sump pumps or any other areas that are prone to develop water problems. Look for these water watchdog alarms at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
The more problems you can spot and fix yourself, the better your chances will be of selling your property. In short, your home inspector will be looking for trouble, and so should you.