The Basics Of A Home Inspection

“I’M CLOSING ON MY FIRST HOME AND MY REAL ESTATE AGENT STRONGLY ADVISED ME TO GET A HOME INSPECTION DONE BEFORE CLOSING. WHAT WILL THE INSPECTION ENTAIL AND HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?”

Your agent is correct to suggest a home inspection before you go to settlement. You’ll want to know ahead of time—before you settle on the home—if there are any problems, defects, or damages. As for what the inspection will entail, the home inspector will thoroughly check all areas of your new home including the plumbing, wiring, air conditioning and heating, windows and doors, appliances, flooring, roof, chimney, etc. They’ll also keep an eye out for common problems such as structural issues, mold and mildew, water leaks, moisture problems, and insect infestation. Generally, a home inspection will take two to fours hours to complete, depending upon the size of the home. You should not only be present during the inspection, but you should also follow the inspector throughout the house to get a firsthand look at any current problems or any other issues that may occur over time (such as the lifespan of the roof, etc.). At the end of the inspection, you’ll want to sit down with your inspector and discuss any issues with the condition of the home. ∆