Are you buying your first home? Do you think you have found your dream home? Are you considering buying it before anyone else? You may want to wait or you may have buyers’ regret.
Before purchasing a home, first-time home buyers should consider having a home inspected. A home inspection can help protect home buyers from purchasing a fixer-upper or a home that is not fit for inhabitants. A home inspector can review a home to give buyers an honest estimate of a home’s value and condition. Here is what you should know:
What does a home inspector look for?
On the outside, a home may seem like the perfect place to start a family, but home inspectors may reveal the truth. There are several aspects that home inspectors look for as they perform their duties, including:
- Water damage: A home inspector may look at pipes, windows, heating systems and basements for any indicators of water damage. A home may not have active leaks, but it could have issues that were never repaired, which could lead to mold or other issues.
- Structural damage: Cracks in the foundation of a home could mean that a home’s foundation is not strong. Home inspectors may look in basements and within the home’s property lines to evaluate the strength of a home’s foundation.
- Electrical issues: A home inspector may look at wires and any electronics in a home. Loose wires, broken electronics and do-it-yourself repairs could become fire hazards and health risks.
- Plumbing issues: Any broken pipes, backed-up drains or old sump pumps could be issues for a home. A home inspector may find that a plumbing issue could lead to future damage to a home.
Home inspectors can neglect their duties. If you buy a home and find major issues after the fact, you may need to learn about your legal options to pursue a negligent home inspector.