Home Inspection
If you're buying or selling a house, the part of the process that includes the home inspection is critical. It has major implications on the sale, to the degree that it could change the final price or even cause the deal to break down. It also has a huge bearing on a buyer's peace of mind. If you're buying a home, it's a significant investment, and even if you've toured three or four times, only a professional house inspection will be a true depiction of the home's state.
The Importance of a Property Inspection
An estimated 86% of house inspections find problems that need to be repaired
Nothing highlights the importance of an inspection more than the fact that many Realtors often write clauses into buyer contracts that are contingent on the results of an inspection. Yet, some home buyers skip the inspection, chalking it up as an “unnecessary” extra expense.
However, an estimated 88% of people — almost 9 out of every 10 — do use a property inspector when buying their next home, according to Porch. Many mortgage lenders even require that such an inspection is done, because it can have such stark implications on the real value of the property.
And, Porch finds, those who do opt for the inspection are right to do so more often than not. An estimated 86% of house inspections find problems that need to be repaired. These may not all be major problems, and it may not even change anything about the house's selling price, but it's better to know than to walk into a potentially life-changing decision practically blind.
What Should You Expect from a Culpeper Property Inspection?
By now, you understand how important using a professional, licensed inspector is before you put pen to paper on your new home, but what should you expect from the process?
Always Stay Involved
Your home inspector is an expert, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't attend a walk-through of the home, guided by someone who knows what they're talking about. Home buyers have a choice in whether a specific issue is a deal-breaker when it comes to making the final decision to go forward with a purchase. With an expert that can give insight into the scope of a potential project, you'll have a better idea of whether or not it's something you're prepared to take on yourself, negotiate with the seller about it, or walk away from the deal entirely.
Your property inspector will walk through every inch of the house, taking careful note of common problem areas, such as the following:
Common Problems with a Home (Only Revealed by a Home Inspection)
The fact is, no matter how much time they spend on the property of a house they're interested in buying, most people just don't have the training or expertise to diagnose hidden problems that may chip numbers off the value of the property.
Sure, you've scrutinized the basement foundation, but you haven't gotten up on the roof and looked for structural issues? You might have tested all the plumbing, but maybe you missed the slight downward grade in the backyard that promises to flood the basement with a heavy rain. Here are some of the most common issues found in house inspections:
Roof Damage
The inspection of a given property finds issues with the roof in nearly 20% of cases. Maybe the seller was up front about the age of the roof, but there are other factors that can cause a roof to wear out before it's time, like weather in the area or the quality of the initial installation.
Many common problems with homes are revealed during a home inspection
Electrical Wiring
Faulty electrical wiring won't jump out at you, so it's unlikely that you'll catch it without the necessary training. Undiagnosed electrical issues can cause unexpected fires and other hazards, and these risks alone can significantly lower the value of a house.
Windows and Doors
Maybe you checked the windows and doors are in good shape, but are they sealed effectively? A nearly undetectable issue in the seals of a few windows in your new home can raise your energy bills after you move in.
Other things a home inspection will check is the quality of the walls — both interior and exterior — plumbing, ventilation, HVAC, and more.
Quality Home Inspections in Culpeper, VA
There's no understating the importance of a property inspection when the stakes include one of the largest investments you'll make in your life. You can't afford to take guesses when it comes to your next home. To learn more, contact Bell Harig Home Inspections today.