As part of the purchase agreement, we recommend that buyers request a whole house inspection completed soon after an accepted offer (timing can vary across markets). Inspections can potentially save you a great deal of money – and hassle – in the long run.
The purpose of an inspection is to help you identify items that you can’t easily see on a walk-through of a house. You may want to walk along with the inspector or meet with him/her at the end of the inspection to review the findings.
Keep in mind that your inspector is a “generalist.” The report provided to you will have a lot of information and can be overwhelming. The inspector is pointing out a wide range of items from suggestions for future maintenance to items that warrant further review by a specialist.
Your Realtor will help advise you and negotiate a satisfactory resolution to any outstanding issues. However, know that the seller is not obligated to make any additional repairs or compensate for deficiencies. As a result, inspections often result in negotiations between the seller and you.
Mold: You want to be on the lookout for mold even when you walk through the property. Often, mold is caused by poor air circulation or water leaks.
Pests: Any pest problems can cause major issues, especially if there are signs of termites. Depending on the types of pests discovered in a property, your agent may recommend a specific type of inspection.
Outdated fixtures and wiring: Wires hanging out of drywall, outdated wiring or overloaded circuits can be fire hazards. Make sure to take them seriously.
Faulty foundations: Cracks in the foundation can spell trouble. Make sure to learn more because foundation repairs are very costly.
For inspector recommendations, see the Ruhl&Ruhl preferred vendor list or ask your trusted real estate agentask your trusted real estate agent.
