What to Know About a Home Inspection When Buying a Home

To buy a home is not as easy a process as it looks. It is based on a lengthy process that has the first step of searching for a mortgage brokers Jacksonville FL, you will find the mortgage broker through searching online portals or even referred by a close friend or member. But, what if the price of your dream house is bigger than your present budget? You don’t need to worry about this. In Jacksonville FL, there is a home loan company that will help you out with a loan in easy installments. After the purchase of your dream house in Jacksonville FL, the next step is to inspect it. For this process, you have to read the below heads:

What is a Home Inspection? Why it is Important?

The third-party inspection process that is based on a professional examination of the house before purchasing is termed home inspection. The significant purpose of this process is that the buyer will inspect the entire home from the point of view of formation, structure, security, and safety. Moreover, besides this, the main concern of the buyer is to also observe the property for long-term investment purposes. Thus, besides looking at the fresh paint and color of the walls, marble flooring and countertops, and another interior, the condition of the exterior is also essential to check. The scrutiny of cracks in the basement foundation, floors, walls, drainage, wiring and alarm system, and the broken condition of home appliances should not be ignored. Thus, as a home inspector, you have to make a checklist of inspections such as foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical and more to ensure that your new home is structurally sound.

Read Also : Is a Home Inspection needed for your house?

The Home Inspection Contingency

Before closing the deal, you have to deeply investigate the major issues at priority. It is considered a best practice to write a clause of contingency in the contract letter. If this clause is not written in the contract, this is the first alarm sign for the buyer. The important point of consideration here is what is a contingency in terms of property? This is defined as the home having implemented all safety measures for natural disasters, Pandemic, or terrorist attacks. The clause of contingency has a condition of payback off if the home is lacking with all these safety measures. Some financial inspector’s experts also calculate the possible contingency by using a predictive model. This will beneficial for the seller as well as for the buyers. Furthermore, in some contracts, contingency policy is based on life insurance policies. Thus, there is a huge benefit of contingency policy in the sale agreement. 

What do Home Inspectors look for?

A professional and certified home inspector must inspect the home according to the checklist. American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) issued a checklist that is necessary to follow. The 12 parts of buying a home for future inspection are listed below:

• Structural components i.e., beams, columns, slabs, etc.
• Roof and Drainage System
• Floors
• Ceilings
• Walls
• Doors, Windows, and locks
• Heating System
• Central AC System
• Interior systems, such as wiring and electric system.
• Basement 
• Foundation
• Attic

An ethical consideration should follow there which is not to damage anything in terms of inspection. Inspection means checking the present condition and rate of damage of the list mentioned above. 

Interior Inspection

Before you buy a home, make sure it’s in good condition by having it inspected in a professional manner. A home inspection is the best way to ensure that your new purchase is in good condition and will last. For the inspection of the interior structure, you must check the following list:

Fire Safety

The inspector has to first examine the garage and attached a fire detector to the roof. The best way to test the fire detector is to create some smoke through fire. 

Plumbing and Electrical Condition

The home inspector will inspect the entire taps, showers, and faucets by opening them. This activity will guide the inspector about leakage, and water pressure. 

Kitchen

The inspection of the kitchen is very essential. The inspector will examine kitchen slabs, cabinets, stove, the pressure of the gas, built-in oven, and attached tables and chairs for future convenience. 

Bathroom

In this part of the home, the home inspector will check the taps, toilet, proper bathing and shower system, ventilation fan, a small window, and a cabinet to place essentials. 

Laundry room

In this room, the inspector has to check the proper vent of the laundry. The case if the heating or dryer system is not placed well, then this will lead to serious fire hazards.

Water heater

It is also essential to check the age, plumbing, and electric fitting of the water heater. On the other hand, an improperly installed heater will lead to serious damage. 

HVAC

In order to inspect the HVAC, the home inspector has to calculate the age of the air conditioner and furnace installed inside the HVAC. Moreover, the ducting pipes will also investigate.  

Basement 

On a priority basis, the part of the home name basement has to inspect properly. The drainage system, flooring, and waterproofing should check. 

Exterior Inspection

The exterior inspection is a very important step in the home inspection process because it allows the inspector to look for major issues that may have been missed by the interior inspection.

Exterior walls

For the inspection of exterior walls, as a home inspector, you will check the cracks, and quality of soil, cement, and bricks. Additionally, a pest inspector will also guide you about the condition of the wall for resistance to pests and termites. 

Roof

For the examination of the roof, the inspector will check shingles, mastic, and drainage pipe on the sidewall of the roof. Additionally, the chimney is also essential for examination. 

Garage

The essential checks for the garage are the outer door, cracks on the outer walls, and the outer boundary of the garage. 

Foundation

The area of the foundation will inspect by checking the lean and bulge areas. This will indicate the freight capacity of the foundation for heavy loadings.

After Inspection

As a home inspector, after inspection, you have to prepare a checklist for an estimated cost for damaged things. You should also mention the type of damage that is small, moderate, or expensive. 

The Bottom Line

Although the home inspection will base on a lengthy process. On the other hand, with the consumption of a little effort on some days, you will secure your future investment.