A house inspection is an objective identification on possible defects in components, systems and structure of a house in accordance to the national and industry standards. Whether you are a seller, buyer, mortgage lender or a real estate agent, a home inspection done by a professional inspector could give your first hand knowledge on the present state of the home.

Home inspections are important because a home is the biggest investment people make. Homebuyers want to secure their investment, so they find it necessary to order a house inspection. If a seller knows of the defects, he or she could attend to it first or inform buyers who come to look at the house. If expensive and major problems are revealed, a seller who is not willing to shoulder the cost can lower the asking price in order to compensate the buyer.


What a home inspection tells you.

1. Inspections could tell of the presence of wood destroying pests in the house. A pest inspection also reveals powder post beetles, termites and dry rot.

2. A home inspection will make sure that the chimney is okay and that the smoke is discharged properly. It could also determine if the inside of the chimney is starting to crumble.

3. Electrical inspections could tell you if the electrical box is very old and no longer adheres with the current city code. Consult a licensed electrician about the best brand to use and how much it costs.

4. In an inspection, the furnace should be taken apart to find out if it has cracked or the cause of its malfunctioning. A professional could reveal what is wrong and the cost involved in fixing or replacing it.

5. You can also ask for a lead-based paint test. To have it removed, you could hire a certified lead abatement contractor.

6. An inspection will also reveal the exact area of the home. Since public records are done manually, it could contain mistakes, there might be a difference in your calculations. You can do the calculation of the square footage yourself or hire an appraiser.

7. The home inspector will tell you if the house was built on raised foundation or slab. You could also hire an engineer for a thorough inspection to find out if the home is sliding or it has a faulty foundation.

8. A roof inspection reveals if it should be replaced. The roof plays a major role since it has plumbing there. Roof problems usually start between the sixth and the ninth year of its life span of 25-30 years.

9. A water system and plumbing inspection is very important. It can tell you if the plumbing needs a replacement and find out if the galvanized pipes are very clogged up that it is even difficult to fit a pencil lead through it.

10. Mold presence is also determined in house inspections. Molds could cause health hazards. It can be tested through testing of the air quality around the house.

Home inspections could tell you so much more than the look of a home. It gives both buyers and sellers peace of mind and confidence.

source: articlealley.com