WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS
While buying a new home is exciting, it is also a huge investment that requires careful attention to myriad details. From securing financing to planning the move, your home-buying checklist is likely long and overwhelming, and among your most important things to do will be the home inspection.
Many lenders require an inspection, but it’s also a good idea for you to learn as much as you can about the physical condition of the home before you buy it. And while an inspection cannot guarantee the condition of a home, the inspector can alert you to items that need repair or any safety concerns.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about the home inspection process.
Schedule Your Inspection As Soon as Possible
It is the buyer’s responsibility to schedule and pay for the inspection. You should schedule the home inspection as soon as you can after your offer has been accepted. This ensures you’ll have enough time to request repairs or to get out of the contract if the inspector discovers a deal-breaker for you. When choosing an inspector, your realtor may have a recommendation or you can find one through the American Society of Home Inspectors (www.homeinspector.org).
Understand the Inspector’s Role
An inspector’s job is to examine the current condition of a house. This includes pointing out what components and systems may need major repair or replacement. The inspector will examine the home’s exterior, including steps, porches, decks, chimneys, roof, windows and doors. Inspectors also look inside the home to examine the attic, electrical components, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, basement/crawlspac-
es and garages. A home inspection will not include cosmetic issues that do not affect the working condition of the home.
Be There on Inspection Day
As the buyer, it’s important for you to be at the home for the inspection. Ask the inspector if you can follow him or her around to better understand what they are examining and to ask questions if needed. This is a great way for you to get to know your new home and become familiar with areas that may need attention.
After the inspection, the inspector will provide you with a report. You can then determine if you will ask the seller to make any repairs or give you a credit to make the repairs on your own. It’s important to keep in mind that no home is perfect, but the inspection report should help you determine if it’s the perfect home for you.
Inspections for New Construction Homes
If you’re buying a newly constructed home, the process is slightly different than the inspection for existing homes. Before you go to settlement, you and your builder will do a walk-through to conduct a final inspection. This walkthrough provides an opportunity to spot items which may need to be corrected or adjusted, learn about the way your new home works and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
Create a checklist when inspecting the house. The list should include everything that needs attention, and you and your builder should agree to a timetable for repairs. It is important that you be thorough and observant during the walk-through. Examine the surfaces of counters, fixtures, floors and walls carefully for possible damage. Sometimes disputes arise because a buyer may discover a gouge in a counter top after move-in, and there is no way to prove whether it was caused by the builder’s workers or the buyer’s movers.
To learn more about the home inspections for both new and existing homes in the Chattanooga area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga www.hbagc.net.