This week two First Time Home Buyers will be having their home inspections. One new 1st Time home buyer is purchasing a home in Granite Bay and the other First Time home buyer is in contract on a house in Sacramento.
A home inspection is essential when buying a house or buying a condo. Even if a home buyer is buying a new home, condo or loft from a builder it is imperative that a home inspector of your choice inspect the property.
In the case of a new home, condo or loft builder, the new home buyer can wait and conduct the home inspection until just before their one-year anniversary in their new home. By this time, the new house, condo or loft will have time to settle and a few items may show up that didn't necessarily show when you first purchased. I always recommend that a new home buyer who purchases a new home from a builder have their home inspection a month before their 1st year anniversary. The builder has a one-year warranty and this is an excellent time to call for a home inspection.
Since most Realtors have a list of professionals that over time have proven themselves to be of quality service, it is likely that your Realtor can refer you, the home buyer, to a reputable home inspector. Such is the case with the First Time Home Buyers I am working with. I have an excellent home inspector I have worked with for several years.
Make sure that your home inspector provides you with their credentials. Are they a member of ASHI? Does your home inspector adhere to a code of ethics? If you would like to read the standards of practice for a home inspector be sure to check out the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Here are few things a home inspector will be checking at both of these home inspections in Sacramento and Granite Bay this week for these two First Time Home Buyers:
- Fireplace, chimney and flue to make sure they are safe, clean and in working order
- Furnace and air conditioner will be tested. It is always a good idea to have the furnace and air conditioner serviced each year to make sure they are routinely checked and serviced.
- Each window and door will be checked to make sure they close properly and look for any sagging.
- Plumbing will be scrutinized for leaks in pipes and faucets and drains to make sure they are in working order.
- Every electrical outlet will be check as well as the circuits.
- Roof will be inspected to determine its condition, age and if repairs need to be made.
- Foundation of the home will be checked for cracks which may indicate a foundation shift
- Stucco and siding will be scrutinized for further maintenance
- Crawl and Attic space will be inspected which shows a variety of issues that may not have yet been noticed inside the home.
- Where there is a pool, the motor operation will be inspected to assure proper working order
- Garage doors will be checked for safety and proper closing/opening
- Appliance will each be checked to insure working order
A home inspection is a must for all home buyers. After the home inspection, a report is generated for the home buyer and the Realtor outlining each item found by the home inspector. My home inspector provides an excellent resource with photos and maintenance manual for each of my home buyers.
The home buyer works with the Realtor to determine which items found on the home inspection they wish to ask the Seller to repair, replace or fix. This is a time when the home buyer has the opportunity to discover and decide if they want to continue with the purchase of the house.
If items are found during the inspection usually the Realtor will write an Addendum asking the Seller for those items to be repaired. It is up to the Seller whether or not they wish to repair, replace or fix those items. It is also, up to the Home Buyer to decide if the Seller doesn't fix those items whether or not they wish to continue with the purchase of the house.
In the case of bank-owned, REO, Foreclosure homes typically the banks do not fix anything. The home buyer is buying the house as-is. However, it is very important to have a home inspection so that the home buyer is appraised of all of the issues the house may have. No one should buy a house, condo or loft and be in the dark. Know what you are getting into and make your decision wisely on what you can live with, fix, repair or replace.
It is also very important to remember that no house, condo or loft is perfect. Whether new or resell there will always be something the home inspector finds.
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Other First Time Home Buyer Articles:
What Every Home Buyer Must Know
New Home Buyer Information You Need to Read
When Should A First Time Home Buyer Buy a House?
Sacramento First Time Home Buyers Get the WOW Back
First Time Home Buyers in Sacramento-Congratulations!
First Time Homebuyer's Check-Off List-Part I
First Time Homebuyers Check-Off List-Part II-Write An Offer
Shall I Buy a House or Rent?
New Home Buyer Information You Need to Read
Important Buyer Information
New Home Owners in Sacramento Wed
Home Buyers, Do You Remember Being in School?
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Hi Gena - this is a well-written post on what buyers can expect from a home inspection. I agree with you that home inspections really should be done on every purchase - a small price to pay for piece of mind on a real estate purchase.
Ann