When purchasing a new house the Realtor will insist that home inspections are performed prior to sale. This is for the sake of the owner and the buyer as it is used to point out what is wrong if anything with the house prior to purchase. Should there be major issues such as mold or termites then a certified inspector should be called in to assess the extent of any damage.
During a walk through the inspector will look at many things including interior, exterior, electrical outlets and wiring along with appliances. Other items will include permanent objects like cabinets, doors and plumbing. Each item is examined and are noted in the final report that is given to the potential buyer.
Items such as furnaces, air conditioning units along with water heaters and swamp coolers will need to be checked for damage. Sprinkler systems are also looked and turned on to make sure they operate correctly. Chimneys, stove exhaust vent and duct work are also examined for ventilation and debris that may cause future hazards.
Electrical outlets, wiring and main breaker boxes have to be looked at and must pass some simple tests. This will let the new owners know that the house is sound and there is no need to worry about electrical shorts or fires. If a portion of electrical components is deemed faulty then it will need to be replaced prior to sale.
As for the interior for the house, the walls, ceiling and floors are the most commonly checked items. The walls are checked for any damage whether it is man-made or cracks from the house settling. The attic and underside of the roof are also looked at so if there is any damage to leaking or insufficient insulation the report will contain this information.
Outer items include the foundation and which is examined to ensure it is solid and not cracking or sinking at all. Unstable ground can lead to major structural damage such as cracks and overall stability issues. Another section to be looked at is the gutter system as this will cause damage over time to a house if it is not properly set up. The gutters need to be able to effectively remove water from the area in order to prevent pooling that will lead to rotting of the roof requiring replacement.
In order to finish, an inspector will look at the garage if there is one and make sure the outlets are working properly. They will also check for proper ventilation along with checking the door to make sure it opens and closes properly. Garage door openers and sensor are examined and deemed working or non-working as well.
Before purchasing home inspections a good rule of thumb is to do plenty of research and make sure the inspector is credible. Since inspectors do not require certification to perform their duties it is very important to find one with experience. There are a few websites on the internet that have already screened a number of inspectors per certain areas, so those are the best place to start looking.
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