The Home Inspection is critical when it comes to buying a home and in big cities and hot housing markets you may not even get the luxury of a home inspection contingency. A home is a very expensive investment, and for that reason, no one would want to find out the house they bought is a life sucking money pit. New and seasoned home buyers may not have the expertise to unearth defects in the properties they intend to buy. For that reason, hiring a certified home inspector is an extremely import part of the home buying process. It’s only through home inspection that you can avoid being hoodwinked by the seller whether intentional or accidental. Since most sellers are looking to recoup a significant amount from their property’s sale, they’re less likely to disclose all the facts. Though optional, homebuyers should be physically present during a home inspection. This is because not all inspectors act professionally; some can collude with the sellers to hide the facts in exchange for kickbacks, or they may not do as thorough a job as you would want them to. This is your money and they are working for you so they should do their due diligence to uncover everything that may be going on with the home you’ve been saving years for.
With that in mind, here are the things to ask during your home inspector as a first time home buyer
What to ask before the inspection
What credentials does your home inspector possess?
Since the market is flooded with certified and uncertified home inspectors, asking for credentials is the only way to find the most competent for the job. Inquire whether the inspector you intend to hire enjoys a professional organization’s membership and what qualifications he has. Also, please inquire about the certifications he has. Another thing to ask is if he/she is insured. Also, please inquire about the number of years he has been working as a home inspector. Though not necessary, inquire about his previous occupation prior to becoming a home inspector. This ensures you hire a knowledgeable home inspector who will be able to pinpoint red flags during an inspection. He or she should be able to answer your queries and help you in decision making. Therefore, it is important to research before settling on a particular home inspector; otherwise, there is a prospect of making costly mistakes.
Can I accompany you during the inspection?
The answer should be an emphatic, yes! Any good inspector would welcome prospective owners’ presence during the inspection. The inspector should be ready to explain to you how various house systems work, which is extremely valuable than perusing an inspection report. When present, potential owners will have the opportunity to pose questions and seek clarifications on anything that seems mysterious. If an inspector locks you out, this is a sign of incompetency, and you shouldn’t hesitate to fire him.
Can I have a look at the sample report?
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, it can be valuable to see others report before seeing your own. As said earlier, no house is problem-free, but most of the problems are easy to deal with. A sample report will ready you for what to expect when handed over your report, and it will give you an insight into how your inspector delivers the message. This ensures you and your inspector are reading on the same script.
Do you do a Radon test?
Radon is a colorless odorless gas generated by decaying uranium in the soil. Which apparently this can be found almost everywhere according to this external article. Years of exposure to Radon can have very detrimental affects on your health so it’s important to know if your future home may have any problems with Radon seeping in.
What to ask during the inspection
What’s the state of the roof?
As the inspector evaluates the condition of the roof, ask him about the state of the shingles. Are they all intact, or are some missing? Is there a buildup of asphalt granules in the gutters? Are there red flags for extreme wear and tear? If yes, then a roof replacement is indispensable.
A roof replacement is costly, so request the seller to replace the roof or ask for a discount to cater for the replacement.
Be mindful the inspector may not be able to give you all of these details if you are buying your home during the Winter in a snowy region. You might as well be safe and just be sure to budget money on top of the home price to take care of anything that may come up with the room in the fall as snow melts.
Are there any faults in the electrical set up?
Faulty electrical setups iare the main cause of electrical fires in both modern and conventional homes. It’s thus important to request your home inspector to evaluate the home’s electrical setup. Does it comply with the set electrical codes? Are there any faulty components? Are there any changes that have been made to the electrical setup? If yes, then were they done by a licensed electrician? Most insurance companies impose higher premiums or decline to insure such houses. So, before buying a home, there is a need to ensure all the defects are addressed to protect the property and its occupants. Without an inspection, it can be strenuous to know the state of the house’s electrical setup. This will help you to reach a consensus with the seller about who should finance for the repair. If the seller is reluctant to make the necessary electrical repairs, then push for a discount equivalent to repair costs.
What is the state of the plumbing?
A home inspector will access various plumbing elements such as pipes, temperature, drains, water pressure etc. During the inspection, flush the toilets to ensure they are functional. If the toilet has an underlying problem, the inspector should include it in his/her inspection report. Also, check to ensure all the taps are working properly. A drain is another element of plumbing that can be disastrous if it is not faulty. A home inspector should check for water stains on the floors or ceiling as it could be a red flag for a faulty plumbing system. Inquire if the house has galvanized-steel piping since they are vulnerable to rust and ruining water pressure and even bursting. Also, inquire if the house has any lead piping, though it’s rarely found in modern homes as it is prone to wear and tear. Lead as an element shouldn’t be allowed to get into the water supply. Lastly, be sure to ask the age of the water heater as a poorly maintained water heater can create rusty hot water after being only 8 years old.
What is the state of HVAC System?
The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) is another component that should be checked out to ensure it is working properly. Besides HVAC inspection, inquire about its date of manufacture and its lifespan. Also, inquire about how often has the furnace been surfaced and maintained. There signs that the inspector should check out to find if there is any maintenance that has been done recently.
What should be repaired first?
Homebuyers need to be informed that no single home is free from imperfections. Homebuyers should ask the inspector to focus on any repairs or concerns. For instance, what needs to be fixed immediately and what can wait. This way, sellers and home buyers will get into an agreement with ease. In that regard, pick an agent with cost-effective contractor referrals for the remainder.
How well is the home insulated?
Home insulation has a significant impact on heating and cooling expenses. Proper insulation of the attic is highly recommended to prevent heat loss from home. The insulation should have an R-value of not less than 60. It’s also important for the inspector to establish the type of insulation used. This is because some insulators such as vermiculite contain asbestos, which poses serious health perils when disturbed. Effective ventilation and insulation all over the home are vital to stopping mold and mildew growth.
Are there any signs of Mice or Mold infestations?
Even as your home inspector inspects other critical components of the home, mice or mold infestation is another area that should not be overlooked. Mice droppings are a sign of a home invaded by mice. Also is there any signs of Mold in the attic, basement, or other not easily visible areas. These both can cause sizeable damage to homes and also cause a serious health hazard.
Seek clarification about the content of the report
Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will unveil the final report to you after a few days. The most vital thing is to read and grasp the content of the report. Ensure that everything contained in the report is understandable to you. If there is something that you don’t understand, ask the inspector. Also, feel free to ask the inspectors as many questions as possible about the report especially if you spot something on the report that you didn’t cover during the walkthrough. If the inspector pushes for further follow-ups, do as advised. Ensure you have all the vital information you need at your fingertips to help you in decision making. This is because you can afford to mess up on what could be your future home. You can use the results of the report to renegotiate any findings with the seller for a lower selling price or to ask them to fix things such as out of code electrical work or mold concerns. Most sellers will happily do this because they won’t want to take the time to relist their house especially since the results of the inspection would be disclosed to prospecting buyers anyways.
Conclusion
A home inspection is a norm that should never be underestimated when it comes to buying a home, especially for first-time homebuyers. Your home is an expensive asset and thus requires smart decisions when buying. Hiring a home inspector is the first step to kick start this crucial process. It’s through inspection that you’ll be able to spot faulty plumbing systems, non-functional heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC), mold infestation, the state of the roof and many more. The presence of these issues can prove costly in the long run if you proceed to purchase your dream home without a proper inspection. Therefore, it is essential to ask the above things during the inspection to ensure you are getting as much information before making any costly decisions.