Buyer Tips | Home Inspections | What is Covered?
The home buying process isn’t complete without a home inspection. Your real estate agent should mention it to you as a very important portion of your real estate transaction. Your lender may even ask about it, especially if you are obtaining an FHA or VA home mortgage.
Home inspections ARE important. No matter how much you trust the seller, or even if you're purchasing new construction, there are some things you need to know about your Charlotte home before you purchase it. While you’re not required to attend the inspection, it’s an excellent idea to do so. The information that you obtain from the inspector can be vital to the health of your new home.
So that you’ll know what to expect, here are a few basics that a typical home inspection covers:
- Appliances: You will know if the appliances are in working order or not, including any and all appliances which convey with the sale of the home.
Electrical: The inspector will check the main panel, circuit breakers, lights, and outlets to ascertain that they are in working order.
- Exterior: An inspector looks for defects on the outside of the home, such as problems with the exterior covering, driveway, landscaping, trim, and even exterior electrical outlets.
- Garage: You will know if the floor, walls, vents, entries and controls have any problems that need to be corrected.
- Plumbing inspection: General/mechanical inspectors do not check sewer systems, they will be able to tell you if you need to do any work to the toilets, showers, sinks, and faucets (both interior and exterior).
- Roof and attic: The roof inspection is not a guarantee of its condition, but you will know what type of roof you have and what condition the roof covering, flashing, vents, and gutters are in or if you need further inspection by a roofing inspector.
- Structure: The inspector checks the foundation, ceilings, doors, floors, roof, and wall construction for any defects; he could recommend further inspection by a structural engineer, which is to be done prior to the expiration of your inspection period.
- Systems: The inspector will also check the effectiveness of your air conditioner unit(s), duct work, fireplace, and heating system(s).
- Windows: Your inspector will confirm that the windows are in working order, including checking for broken seals (hazing in windows), cracked glass, rotten wood trim and sills as well as ascertaining that the windows are operational.
A quality home inspector will inspect every nook and cranny to gauge structural stability and both present and potential future dangers. Remember, a home inspection is not a guarantee or a warranty - the inspector may not find everything - keep in mind that a human is performing the inspection!
No house is perfect, not even a new construction home. You should expect your inspector to find some issues with the Charlotte home. If significant problems are discovered, you can ask the seller to repair them, reduce the sale price or you can even back out of the deal without consequences, as long as your contract includes this contingency and you are within those contingency limitations. Be certain to review with your inspector exactly what they cover.
I’m happy to help you find the right home for you. Call me today at 704.491.3310 or email me at Debe@DebeMaxwell.com for more information about the home buying process.
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