Things to Check Before Buying That House

Before you buy a home in Philadelphia, there’s one critical step which you need to educate yourself on: the home inspection. 

Too often home-buyers see this as just one of many steps in buying their dream house. However it is the one which can keep that dream from turning into a nightmare. The key to avoiding this is knowing what is required by law and what isn’t.

The first important thing to know about the home inspection is that any issues found after the inspection and final sale is now your responsibility. Homes are very much sold “as is”, and if you accepted its condition when you signed, then you, unknowingly or not, accepted the entire house, hidden problems and all. Therefore it is vital you do not skimp on this process.

Coordinate with your realtor as they will know home inspectors you can trust. However don’t just take their word for it. Be sure to follow the inspector as they do their work. Why? Because most states, by law, require inspectors to assess whether something like the roof is safe for a period of time, like 5 years. Yet they might not be required to mention if, in their opinion, the roof might fail in 7 years.

The older the home, the more things which you need to ensure gets inspected. From the wiring to the HVAC system and even the spacing of slats on the banister so a toddler can’t fit through them will need to be thoroughly checked with an older home. All of these issues need to be looked at and if found wanting, fixed by the seller before you agree to buy. Failure to do this means you will be paying for it in the end.

For more tips on how to buy a home in Philadelphia, be sure to contact us today!

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