The Importance of a Home Inspection When Buying

August 25, 2017

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A home inspection can be one of the most important things you do when buying a home in Decatur, Hartselle or Athens, AL.  A home inspection is an all-inclusive examination of the condition of a home.   It is usually performed at the time of the sale of the home.  A home inspection is a low-cost way to discover the collective condition of a home.  It is important to perform a home inspection to avoid any major repairs.  It is a home inspector’s responsibility to let you know that your home you are purchasing may not be just right.

A certified home inspector is an expert who will conduct an inspection of the general condition of the home.  A home in Decatur, AL may look move in ready, but an inspector will cover thing in a home such as electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, insulation. They will also look at structural features of the home.  Having a certified home inspector conduct a comprehensive inspection of the potential property, could be compared to taking out an insurance policy against all possible operating costs.

There are many different types of home inspection processes.  First and most importantly, you would need a general or residential inspection.  They will inspect the structure, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior, insulation and ventilation.  Once completed, the home inspector will provide the buyer with a report suggesting any improvements or repairs.  Home inspections may often make known problems with a home that could be expensive to fix.  This could be used as a great purchasing tool for negotiations with the seller.  As the buyer you may be able to negotiate the price dependent on what has been found. If the issues seem too problematic, a buyer can negotiate a credit, have the seller pay for repairs before closing, buy as is or not purchase the home.

Another home inspection process a buyer may want to have before the purchase of a home in Decatur, AL would be a termite wood destroying organism inspection.  This certified inspector would checks for structural damage caused by wood boring insects.   A general home inspector may perform this inspection for an additional cost, or recommend a WDO/WDI inspector to the buyer.

A radon inspection is also important.  Radon is a radioactive gaseous element formed by breakdown of radium, that occurs naturally especially in areas over granite, and is considered hazardous to health.  Radon levels fluctuate naturally, therefore testing for high levels is important. A radon kit is hung or placed in the lowest habitable floor of the house for two to seven days.  The inspector would then send the kit to a lab for analysis.  If a radon test comes back high, some ways to improve the radon could be:  sealing concrete slab floors, basement foundations, and water drainage systems. .  Some general home inspectors will also do radon testing at an additional cost. It is important you ask your inspector if he performs these inspections, or for recommendations.

Other inspections that you may want before purchasing a home in Decatur, AL may be well water testing, oil tank testing and septic tank testing.

It is recommended to attend your home inspection process.  Never pass up the chance to see your future home through the eyes of an expert.   It is not an inspector’s responsibility to repair any potential issues. An inspector may recommend repair, or to seek out skilled professionals.

When buying a home in Decatur, AL a home inspection will definitely give the buyer peace of mind and put the buyer’s mind at ease. It can also become a negotiation tool in closing, and could inform the buyer of potential future repairs and upkeep.  A seller of a home can request a home inspection before the home is put on the market.   This may help the seller in setting a price. The seller may want to correct any issues with the home before it is put on the market.

Source:  https://www.ahit.com/news/why-home-inspections-are-important.htm