Many of us get flabbergasted when we come across the term inspection when buying or selling a home. What inspection? Was it not as simple as a walkthrough where we checked the house’s condition and gave the deal the go-ahead? Well, not really home inspectors are people who have ever purchased the property are familiar with; but those buying a house for the first time may have no clue what an inspection means and what it is required for.
Well, a home inspection is nothing less than an act of safeguarding your future investments when buying a home. Home buying is a big decision accompanied by a lot of stress. You will have to deal with many professionals like lenders, realtors, and home sellers along the way. Other than these, a lot of paperwork is involved. It is natural to feel overwhelmed because of the enormous amount of money at stake and the time frame within which one may have to decide to buy a new home quickly. Research has proved the high stress levels of home buyers to be similar to someone having a heart attack.
So what exactly can a home buyer do to alleviate at least some of the stress associated with the buying process? Before buying a home, homeowners go through property listings, reach out to realtors, and discuss finances with lenders. That is all great, and perhaps you got hold of the best professionals but who will tell you about the house’s condition. What lies behind those walls, what’s lurking under the floorboards, and how is the electrical system holding up? Neither an appraiser nor a lender will help you here, nor can you assess these things yourself. A home inspection in Fredericksburg VA, conducted by a a professional inspector reveals the true condition of the home you plan to spend the next decade or even the rest of your life in.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A Viginia home inspection is an assessment of a property. It includes a thorough check of a home’s structural and functional parts. These include:
- HVAC
- Electrical Systems
- Plumbing Systems
- Roof
- Flooring
- Walls
- Doors & Windows
- Attic and Crawlspaces
The list above may seem short , but an inspector’s checklist comprises 1600 sub-parts that are included in a home inspection checklist and fall under the categories above. A home inspector gives you an in-depth report which points out to the overall condition of these parts and those that may need repair or replacement. A home inspection report equips you with the knowledge of whether the home is safe to buy or will be a problematic pandora box draining your pocket down the road.
Problems That Are Red Signs In An Inspection
Several issues may creep up during an inspection, but not all of them need to be taken seriously. A buyer might ask the seller to get minor repairs done or adjust the cost of the repairs in the home’s price. There are other issues a seller should not ignore; these issues are not only a nuisance but cause anxiety to homeowners and are costly to repair. Let’s check them out:
HVAC System
We should know that a Virginia Home Inspection will check a home’s HVAC system to ensure it is functioning, but an inspector cannot predict when it will break down. On the other hand, he can check the serial number of the outdoor condenser unit to give you an estimate of its life. If he finds the condenser is over a decade old, he will inform you. Besides that, he will check all visible components such as filters, ducts, and thermostats and whether the cooling and heating are working as they should. You will want to ask the homeowner about a replacement or adjust the home’s price accordingly.
Roofing Issues
Roof problems should be taken seriously in a home inspection report. The ceiling which is connected to the roof is checked for signs of damage and leaks. When the roof leaks, it may be pointing to more significant issues like moisture that can cause mold and mildew. These can affect the structure; if that is the case, it is the most expensive to repair.
If the inspector notices any moisture or leaks on the roof, he will inform you about them. You do not want to buy a house with a problematic roof and spend thousands of dollars to get it replaced out of your pocket.
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing problems should be taken seriously in a home inspection report. Many people might not take them seriously because they think they are not a big deal, but it is essential to know if your plumbing system is working correctly.
Along with plumbing issues Improper grading can lead to structural damage in the home, repairing which can be very costly. Water is the most prominent house enemy and the most common problem that surfaces in a home inspection report. Water or plumbing issues happen when the system has too much pressure, or the water cannot flow away from the house fast enough.
Electrical Issues
In older homes, the knob and tube wiring system was used commonly, cause electrical problems. Knob and tube wiring was typically used in homes built before 1960. It’s a type of electrical wiring that consists of copper wire wrapped around metal tubes. This kind of wiring is ungrounded and will shock anyone who comes in contact with it, including children and pets. Older homes can also be susceptible to overheating electrical panels or worn-out wiring, leading to fires or damaging the home’s structure. Home buyers should always consider these issues necessary, if they come up in a home inspection report during a professional home inspection in Stafford VA.