The Importance of a Home Inspection When Buying

Buying a home can be the single most important financial commitment made by an individual. So why purchase a home without knowing the “ins” and “outs” of the home? Potential home buyers should always insist on a thorough home inspection by a qualified home inspector. In fact, the purchase contract should contain a contingency allowing the buyer an escape if the inspector finds suffficient concerns that the seller is unable or unwilling to correct. The goal of the inspector should be to inform the buyer of all home-related issues - whether big or small - so that the buyer can decide what issues the buyer will ask the seller to repair.

A home inspection is a thorough examination of the home and should take a minimum of 2 hours to complete - more if the home is larger than average. The inspector will not only check the mechanics of the home - heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical - but also check the roof, windows, doors, fireplaces, the attic area, and the crawlspace if the home is on a raised foundation. The inspector is looking for any problems with the home that are or might become a concern to the potential buyer. The problems can include anything from plumbing failures to water in crawlspaces, roof leaks to evidence of mold.

But what is the home is newly constructed? Think you don’t need an inspection? Even with newly constructed homes, a home inspection is a necessity. Building inspectors - typically government officials who inspect the home as it’s being constructed - are looking for building code violations rather than a general overview of the entire home. Some typical problems found with new homes include improper vapor barrier installation, lack of insulation in attic area, “wet” wood used in construction or construction debris in crawlspaces which can lead to mold.

Be sure to buy safe and protect your investment - always insist on a home inspection when purchasing your new home.