What is Involved in a Home Inspection?

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When you put an offer on a home and get accepted, your next step is to have the home inspected for any potential issues. A home is a huge investment, and before signing any papers, you want to make sure the home is in great condition.

You may also want to have a home inspection done if you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, or just want to anticipate any upcoming repairs you need to save money for.

Whatever your reasoning, an inspection is a great way to assess the overall condition of a home, with insight from the professionals. But, what should you expect to learn from this process? Here are some of the things inspectors will assess.

Damp spaces

Damp areas are breeding ground for mold and bacteria. When moisture is found in a home, it can attract pests and deteriorate the building materials slowly. A major issue is moisture in the foundation, which can severely decrease the value of a home.

If dampness is an issue on your property and you’re planning to sell it, a home inspector will be able to tell you if repairs can be made and if they will be feasible.

If you’re looking to purchase a home with moisture issues, an inspection will be hard proof that they should be asking less for the home and give you an opportunity to negotiate a lower price or repairs paid for by the seller.

Roof

Another major part of a home inspection is checking if the roof is in good condition. Some states even require a roof inspection to be done separately from the home inspection, because if issues are spotted, they can be serious.

If any moisture has gotten in under the shingles, replacing the roof can become a costly investment. You also want to make sure the chimney is in good, stable condition.

Assessing the roof is one of the most important parts of any home inspection. You don’t want to be surprised with any leaks or unwanted pests getting into your home.

Plumbing

A good home inspector will run any appliances that use water, such as a dishwasher, to make sure there are no leaks in plumbing. They will also run many faucets at once and flush multiple toilets to check the water pressure.

If you plan to put your home on the Boston real estate market , you’ll want to fix any leaks or water pressure issues well before potential buyers order their own inspections so you can make sure they’re well taken care of. You should also consider looking at your septic tank, as a good inspector will check that as well.

Electrical Wiring

If you have an older home, electrical systems should be one of the first things you need to assess. Your home inspector will check to see if your system is adequate for the current regulations that need to be followed. You don’t want to put yourself at risk for a house fire, so your electrical systems need to be up to code.