7 Key Things to Know About Pre-Purchase Home InspectionsObtaining a home inspection is an important part of the process of purchasing a house. It arms you with the knowledge you need to determine whether or not you wish to purchase the home. The inspection is performed by professionals trained in residential construction codes as it relates to major components and systems of the house. Your home inspector will give you an expert opinion about the structural integrity as well as the condition of major working systems such as plumbing, heating, and the electrical systems of the house based upon a visual examination. He will inform you about the major defects in the home so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises. If the house needs a lot of repairs and replacements, you will incur high costs on yourself after moving in. Being aware of the condition of the home you are considering well in advance will help you make a better decision.
Why Would I Need a Home Inspection Before I Buy a House?
Purchasing a home is the single largest investment most Americans will make. So they must proceed carefully so that their hard-earned money is spent at the right place. A professional home inspection helps you become an informed buyer capable of making intelligent choices.
What Does a Home Inspector Look For?
“The purpose of a home inspection is to look for material defects of a property—things that are unsafe, not working, or that create a hazard,” according to Kurt Salomon, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors and an inspector based in Salt Lake City. A home inspector gives you the big picture analysis of the house. He mainly points out the major problems in the house associated with structural soundness and crucial systems. As a home buyer, you definitely expect a lot from a home inspector but the reality is that their job is limited and they can’t look into everything and predict future complications.
What Can I Expect from a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?
The job of a home inspector is primarily to give you the big picture analysis of the house. His main focus is to detect the issues related with the structure's integrity and the working of the major systems of the house. Home inspectors don’t do any sort of destructive testing and you can’t expect them to give you the details of every nail, wire and pipe in the house. Their inspections are visual, so if anything is hiding out of site they will not be able to detect it.
The report prepared by them is supposed to be taken as an overall view about the house and shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee that major systems of the house won't ever need repair. As it is obvious that every house needs regular maintenance to stay in good condition, you must keep in mind that no house is perfect and there might be some issues beyond your home inspector’s report.
What Should I Consider Before Hiring a Home Inspector?
Though home buyers expect a lot from home inspectors, the fact is that their job is limited. As stated earlier, they can’t furnish you the details of every little thing in the house.
For more information on what is involved in our pre-purchase home inspections, visit http://www.sfloridahomeinspection.com/services/pre-purchase-inspection/ or call (561) 818-5593.