If you’re buying a new home, you’re probably hoping for some assurances about the condition of the property. Of course, there are few absolute certainties in life, but a home inspection is designed to help protect you from buying a home with a known problem or deficiency. Here are a few things to know about the home inspection process.
Who conducts a home inspection?
A home inspection is carried out by a licensed, qualified inspection service with experience in inspecting homes in the community or locality where your new home is located. Your real estate agent likely will suggest a few inspectors that he or she trusts and has worked with before. Ask your agent for a recommendation or choose an inspection service that comes highly recommended. In addition, your realtor may refer you to the Massachusetts state website for professional licensed home inspectors.
What does a home inspection entail?
An inspector is trained to look at the structural, mechanical, and electrical features of a home. He or she will check the exterior for signs of any problems with the foundation or structure of the building, including the roof, exterior of the chimneys, siding, porches or decks, gutters, windows, and doors. He or she will note any noticeable problems, from wear and tear (such as a roof that needs to be replaced) to serious structural problems like cracks in the foundation.
Moving inside, you can expect that the inspector will check all rooms from the basement to the attic for structural issues like cracks in the floors, walls, or ceiling, water damage, or visible problems with sagging or damaged support beams and joists. The inspector will also examine the furnace, electrical panel, plumbing systems, water heater, and other systems that help “run” the house. He or she will look at windows and doors from the inside, electrical outlets and heating elements, and faucets and other plumbing fixtures.
What is not covered in a home inspection?
You will need to order a separate inspection or add testing to your basic inspection to check for the presence of radon, lead paint, toxic mold, or asbestos. Separate inspections are also necessary to determine the quality of well water, condition of a septic system, or the presence of pests. If you are buying a home with a pool, you will need a separate inspection for the pool as well.
How much does a home inspection cost?
Generally speaking, a basic home inspection runs several hundred dollars. If you’re buying a home, the fees can really add up, but for your peace of mind, an inspection is well worth the money spent. While some inspection services charge a flat rate, others may charge by the size of the property. You may also be expected to pay extra for the inspection of outbuildings or a detached garage.
What should I do if my home inspection turns up a problem?
That depends. As a buyer, you have several options. You can ask the seller to have the problem fixed, ask for a deduction in the price you are paying for the house so that you can have the problem fixed yourself once you move in, or, if the problem is not serious, do nothing at the time of sale and plan to handle the problem yourself later down the line.
Home inspections may not be 100% foolproof (there may always be a hidden problem that an inspection doesn’t reveal), but they can bring peace of mind to the process of a home purchase. Ask your agent for more information about this important step in the purchase of your new home.
