Buying a house is exciting; all the more when you’ve finally found your dream home. Make sure, though, that you don’t get easily swayed by how beautiful it looks during your first visit. There might be damage to the structure that is not immediately noticeable or totally hidden from view.
This is where a home inspection comes in. A home inspection will help you make sure you know what you’re getting into before buying and moving into your new home.
Here are some home inspection tips for buyers.
Invest in a reliable home inspector
Don’t scrimp when it comes to getting a good inspector. You can expect a professional home inspector to have more knowledge and experience to detect issues than a rookie in the business. Make sure to do your research and compare each provider’s levels of experience and service, not just their prices.
Ask around for recommendations from people you trust, such as family and friends. Your real estate agent can also give you referrals to reliable home inspectors with whom they’ve previously worked.
Do your own visual inspection
Don’t just rely solely on your home inspector’s report. Make sure to do your own visual inspection to know and see firsthand what you’re dealing with.
During your visit, some things are easily noticeable and you can point these out to your inspector to let them know what they should check first. Remember to take pictures to show them where exactly you found the said issues.
Here are some common spots to look out for:
- Walls and ceilings. Look out for cracks and discoloration that may be signs of water damage or mold.
- Basement. For houses with basements, check if there is a powdery white substance along the walls. This could indicate water seepage.
- Plumbing. Turn on faucets and the shower then flush the toilet to check for a drop in water pressure or unusual sounds coming from the pipes. Keep the water running for a few minutes to test the drainage. Look under sinks and the toilet for signs of leaks.
- Roof. Check if the roof has curled, cracked, or cupped shingles. Are there stains or moss? When was the roof last replaced?
Get involved
You may also want to attend the actual inspection. Follow your home inspector around and observe everything he points out. This way, you see where everything is located and what needs to be repaired, replaced, or updated. Just make sure of three things when you do so: (1) you don’t get in the way; (2) you don’t jeopardize your or your home inspector’s safety; and (3) you adhere to the health protocols currently in place.
Consider hiring specialists
There will be instances when your home inspector will recommend hiring another industry professional like an electrician or roofing specialist for additional testing. Simply proceed with the recommendation before making any hasty decisions on the house. This specialist’s feedback will determine whether the house needs minor or major repairs. Only then can you decide whether you can proceed with the purchase or not.
Trust experienced local real estate agents for your next Virginia home
Valley Realty Associates will help you go through a smooth home-buying process in Virginia, from exploring houses for sale in Harrisonburg, VA and Rockingham County, VA to recommending home inspectors and guiding you in negotiations and closing the sale. Call us today at 540.236.5800 or email us at valleyrealtyassociates(at)gmail(dotted)com to get started.