When buying a home, apart from the essential steps such as applying for a mortgage and finding the house that suits your needs and expectations, another important step is performing professional home inspection services.
In the real estate market, home inspection has become a vital practice that allows potential homebuyers to analyze every detail of the house fully and know they are making the right decision before moving in.
A home inspector reviews both the interior and exterior space of the house and informs the homebuyers about hidden and exposed damage and faults of the house. The safety hazards and expected lifespan of the appliances and mechanical equipment of the house are also noted.
The Need to employ an Expert Home Inspector
A detailed inspection of the house allows you to identify issues to the house seller and negotiate the sale price of the house. The home inspection is a fairly common routine where a home inspector looks at the house and provides information on the condition of the house by taking photographs and making videos.
Once you have signed a contract on a particular home, then you can employ the services of a home inspector. The information and identification of various issues with the construction or design of the house can allow you to back out of the contract without paying any penalty. You can also negotiate the price of the house and lower it depending on the extent of repairs or renovation the house requires. The things you need to expect when employing services of professional home inspection in Lancaster, PA, are
- Meeting at the property
It is always better to meet with the home inspector at the particular house you are looking to buy. You can know the home inspector and ask pertinent questions. The analysis of the house can help the home inspector note down the details and discuss both the major and minor issues with the house.
- Inspection of every nook and cranny of the house
A complete home inspection means carefully analyzing every hidden and exposed space from the attic to the basement and from the roof to the exterior walls. All the doors, windows, and floor will be checked, particularly the kitchen and washroom space. It may take a home inspector 3 to 4 hours to review the issues depending on the size of the house.
- A detailed report on the condition of the house
The home inspector will not only check the complete house but also document everything. The findings may include pictures and videos as evidence. A full report of every room and space would be done and discussed with you.
- Discussion with a real estate agent
You can view the report from the home inspector and then discuss with the real estate agent the issues with the house. You can ask to proceed with the sale of the house or ask for a concession with the price of the house with the house seller.
Ways to search and hire a Home Inspector
Finding the best home inspector is not easy as you have to pick a professional who knows how important it is to have a detailed review of the house before buying it. You rely on a home inspector who can identify potential safety hazards and risks before you could commit to buying a specific house. Some of the considerations you need to make to hire an expert home inspector are
- Check credentials
All across the country, home inspectors are supposed to get a license before they can be eligible to perform a detailed review of the house. You have to ensure that the home inspector you hire is licensed and credentialed. You can also see the portfolio of the home inspector.
- Ask for referral
You can ask your family, friends, and office colleagues about a particular home inspector they know and have worked with previously. You can also ask the real estate agent about a home inspector.
- View online reviews
Due to the massive popularity of digital media now, it is quite easy to find home inspectors through online means. The main thing to focus on is the number of good reviews a home inspector has and shows his credibility. Going through local directories also help to view both positive and negative feedback.
Important Inspection Tasks
Buying the best home for your needs is always stressful and time-consuming, and it will just add to your stress if you discover the house you moved in has different problems. Some of the inspection tasks include
- Check for mold or water damage around the windows and vents
- Checking the roof, which is mostly overlooked in most home inspections
- Ensuring that the electrical switches and power supply is functioning properly
- Seeing if the doors and windows are opening and closing properly
- Checking the condition of the ceilings
- Examining the water pressure and flow in washrooms and kitchen
- Flushing the toilets and looking for leaks
- Analyzing the condition of the drainage pipes
- Checking the HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit is working or not
- Inspecting the quality of paint and if the house needs to be repainted or not
The issues of the house are noted down with images, and any safety risks are also mentioned. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to inspect the house and can extend depending on the size and condition of the house. On average, a home inspection costs from $300 to $500 but depends on the location and size of the house.
A home inspection is beneficial not only for potential homebuyers but also for home sellers. The home sellers can know the extent of repairs the house needs and those necessary to fetch a profitable price of the house. A home inspection helps to improve the buyer’s confidence and helps to make the repairs before the house is sold.
You can tag along with the home inspector during the house tour and see the condition of the house on your own. But you need to ensure you ask the right questions and hire an expert home inspector.