Home inspections account for one-third of all failed home purchase deals. This makes them the most common reason for one party to back out. Therefore, it is crucial to get the home inspection right and without failures.
You can request a home inspection before the home-buying process. This will save you from spending thousands on unexpected repairs after closing. Knowing how home inspections work and potential issues can help you buy a house confidently.
What Is a Home Inspection?
Before you buy a house, a professional home inspector will check the whole place from top to bottom. They’ll make sure everything works properly, look for any damage, and warn you about potential problems. This helps you avoid buying a money pit and ensures the house is safe.
The inspector will examine your house’s HVAC system, electrical wiring, and plumbing. After a thorough inspection, they’ll provide a home inspection report to you and anyone else involved in the purchase. Any defects found by the inspector could lower the value and potentially affect how much you can borrow for the mortgage.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
The duration of a home inspection can vary depending on several factors. A typical inspection for a 2,000-square-foot residence will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. The size of the home is a primary factor. Larger properties require additional time for an in-depth examination.
However, smaller homes can be inspected more swiftly. The age of the house can also influence the inspection time. Older structures may require more in-depth investigation due to potential problems that arise from their construction and materials.
Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?
Before you commit to buying a house, investing in a home inspection is crucial. This professional assessment provides a clear picture of the property’s condition. The detailed inspection report empowers you to make informed decisions.
You can use it to negotiate repairs with the seller and plan for future maintenance costs. You can even walk away from the deal if major problems are found. Moreover, it allows you to move forward with confidence, knowing your new home is a sound investment.
What Are the Things That Fail a Home Inspection?
These are 10 of the most common issues found during a home inspection. Understanding these issues can help you be more aware about the home inspection report.
1. Inadequate Surface Grading and Drainage
Inspectors find faulty drainage around the house more than any other problem. This can lead to cracked foundations and water leaks in basements.
To fix this, the ground around the house needs to be sloped away, gutters and downspouts should be installed or repaired, and overall drainage needs to be directed away from the foundation..
2. Impaired and Undersized Electrical Wiring
Almost one in five inspectors find faulty electrical wiring in homes. This can include issues like outdated or undersized wiring, aluminum wiring (which can be a fire hazard), lack of proper circuit breakers, incorrect grounding, and risky DIY electrical work.
3. Older, Damaged Roofs
Roof problems are spotted in about 9% of inspections. This is because roofs get old and worn out, especially wood ones. Damaged shingles or flashing can cause leaks.
Fixing these small problems early, like replacing broken tiles or resealing gaps, is cheap and easy. But if you wait, you might need a whole new roof later, which can be super expensive!
4. Inadequate and Old Heating Systems
Your heater might not just be working poorly, it could be dangerous! Inspectors find problems like broken knobs, clogged chimneys, unsafe exhaust pipes, and cracked heat exchangers in about 8% of homes. These problems can make you sick or even cause a fire.
To keep your heater safe and working well, call a pro to check it once a year, just like the instructions say. Even though a newer heater might cost more upfront, it will save you money on your energy bills in the long run!
5. Inadequate Overall Maintenance
Inspectors see a lot of homes that haven’t been cared for. This means cracked or peeling paint, crumbling bricks, messed-up electrical wires or plumbing, and broken stuff around the house. While some things might just look not-so-great, they really show that the house overall hasn’t gotten much love.
6. Structural Issues
Older houses especially can have some bumps and bruises, like cracks in the foundation, floors, roof, or around windows and doors. This usually happens because of other problems in the house, like with the roof or the ground around the house. But don’t worry, these cracks are usually minor.
7. Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues were among the most common house problems encountered. The presence of old or incompatible piping materials, faulty fixtures and waste lines, and improperly strapped water heaters are all examples. Surprisingly, some home inspectors claimed to have discovered natural gas leaks in these homes.
8. External Issues
Water and air penetration cause discomfort and damage due to defects in a home’s exterior, including windows, doors, and wall surfaces. The most common causes of a cold and drafty residence are inadequate caulking or poor weather stripping.
9. Inadequate Ventilation
Many homeowners have “over-sealed” their homes to save energy, resulting in excessive interior moisture. Rotting and premature failure of structural and nonstructural elements can result from this. Excessive water from unventilated bathrooms and kitchens can damage plaster and lead to mold growth, which can cause allergic reactions.
10. Miscellaneous Items
This category includes interior components such as sticky windows and dripping faucets and environmental concerns such as lead-based paint and asbestos.
What Does a Home Inspector Look for in a Home Inspection?
Getting a home inspection is super important when you buy a house. Imagine buying a new toy and then finding out it’s broken later! An inspector checks the house for hidden problems, like cracks in the foundation or bad wiring. If they find something wrong, you can talk to the seller about fixing it or even walk away from the house.
So what exactly do inspectors look for? They basically check everything from top to bottom, including the heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. They also look at the walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and roof. It’s a big job, but it helps you avoid a big headache later!
You Failed Your Home Inspection: Now What?
If the inspection reveals problems you weren’t expecting, don’t panic! Talk to your real estate agent. They’ll help you figure out what to do next, considering things like the market and how much repairs might cost. Here are some options you have:
- Ask the seller to fix the problems themselves.
- Ask the seller for money to cover the repairs (get quotes from repair people first to know how much to ask for).
- Offer the seller a lower price for the house since it needs work.
- If the problems seem too big to deal with, you can walk away and look at other houses.
Remember, if you decide not to buy the house because of the problems, the seller has to tell everyone else who wants to buy it about those problems later.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
A general home inspection costs range between $250 to $400 typically. It also depends on the size of the house and how old the property is. Your home inspector may charge you extra fees for transportation if the property is in a remote or difficult-to-reach location.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to home inspections, what is a deal breaker?
A significant foundation problem with the house would probably end up being a deal-breaker if you realised it would require a lot of repairs. Most home buyers do not choose properties that have major structural issues. The foundation of a building can be prone to cracks.
In the case of a failed inspection, what happens?
Buyers who are unhappy with the inspection report have the option of walking out without penalty. Furthermore, the seller may be requested to make specific repairs or to renegotiate the sale price.
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