Yesterday in our weekly Money Talks edition we talked about Gail Vaz-Oxlade, and her insistence that you get a home inspection with any and every home you want to purchase. Even if that’s your dream home and you’re trying to make the deal go through quickly. But why is it so important? What’s included under that umbrella of protection, and what will you potentially avoid by getting one? Here are the five biggest issues usually caught during an initial inspection; and what you’ll need to live with if you decide to skip the inspection.
Pests
You may be able to tell if the home is infested with termites or mice upon entering it, but you may not be able to either. A good home inspector will usually be able to detect their presence though and, perhaps even more importantly, they’ll be able to tell if the home has been damaged by them in the past. This will give you an idea of your chances of also having to deal with them in the future should you buy the home.
Structural problems
You most likely won’t be able to tell just by looking if the foundation is cracked, or whether or not the roof will need to be repaired soon (unless of course you’re willing to get up there for every home you visit.) However these are some of the first things a home inspector will notice, and they’ll also be some of the most costly repairs down the road if you don’t catch them now.
Wiring, electrical, and plumbing systems
Do you know the current codes for pipes and electrical wiring? Do you know whether or not you need galvanized plumbing? Or need to take it out? Again, these are all areas that a home inspector deals with every day and is extremely familiar with. They’ll be able to tell you right off the bat, and could save you great headaches once you become the home’s new owner.
Mold
Not only can mold be extremely expensive to get rid of, it can also be very hazardous to the health of you and your family. While home inspectors can’t guarantee that they’ll find mold in the home if it’s present, they’ll certainly have a much better chance of finding it than your untrained eye (or nose) alone.
Home inspections are just one of those things that provides additional insurance and protection when you’re buying your home. It may be a bit of an expense, and take more time for the deal to go through, but it will be well worth it in the end and will help you rest a little easier in that new home of yours.
