What to Expect at a Home Inspection

While home inspections may add an extra expense to the buyer, hiring a professional will help protect your investment.

Using referrals from family or friends who have recently purchased property can be helpful in finding

a broker. Another great resource is your real estate broker. They are experts who deal with these professionals regularly and can point you in the right direction.

Here is a list of the top items inspectors will look at:

Plumbing: The inspector will check thoroughly for any water damage or leaks, past or present. Faucets will be examined to check for water pressure.
Electrical, heating, and cooling: An expert is necessary here to address any issues with all of these critical systems. In the event that the heat should fail in a snowstorm or the air conditioning system should fail during a heatwave, these are essential systems that need to be running smoothly. Outlets will be checked as well as the service panel, and any visible wiring.
Walls, ceilings, and floors: Water damage lurking behind walls or patched up areas could mean that there was a leak or even worse, mold.
Appliances: If you are planning on keeping the existing appliances, the inspector will make sure they are in working order. The oven will be tested to make sure it reaches high temps, as well as the temperature on the refrigerator and giving the dishwasher a run through the cycles.
Safety: Working fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, hot water temperature will all be assessed.
Exterior: The inspector will check the foundation to make sure it is level, there are no issues with the roof or siding, the gutters and chimneys are in good condition. A thorough check for termites and other insects that can cause damage will be investigated and addressed.

You can expect a home inspection to take 2-3 hours. The home inspector is a buyer’s advocate, who will provide a detailed report of the inspection.

If there are big-ticket items to be addressed, the price of the home can be negotiated, repairs can be paid for by the seller, or the seller can provide the funds to have the repairs made. The contract will be adjusted at this time, or the buyer can decide not to go through with the purchase.

Whatever your needs, MetroNet Realty is here to help you through the process. Call us today to get started with finding your dream home.