As part of the home buying process, the buyer may opt for a home inspection. I highly recommend that all buyers do this...even with a brand new home. Yes, even a newly constructed home may have a few bugaboos that are not easily visible to the average buyer. Usually, the inspection takes place within the first few days of entering escrow. The inspector looks at the condition and functionality of various aspects of a property. But an inspection does not include everything.
What to Expect With a Home Inspection
Exterior
First, a home inspector starts with the exterior of the property. Are there any visible cracks in the concrete or exterior walls? Are the doors, windows, and walls sitting straight or are they off-kilter? They also inspect the fascia, paint, and condition of the stucco, wood, bricks, or siding. After that, they grab their ladder and head up to the roof. There, they look for broken or torn shingles or tiles. They also check for signs of current or past leakage and resulting damage. This may also include a probe into your attic area.
Interior
Once the exterior gets a good "once-over", the inspector brings their home inspection inside. They check all windows for cracks in either the sealing or the glass. Condensation between the panes means that the window seals are allowing moisture inside leading to possible mold or mildew build-up. Also, they check to make sure that all the doors and windows open and close.
The inspector also makes sure that all faucets and showerheads run hot and cold, the toilets work properly (with no leaks), and the HVAC system is in good running condition. They also look under the sinks to check for evidence of current or past leakage and run the garbage disposal to make sure it works.
What is NOT Included in a Home Inspection?
An inspector provides a general overview of the condition of your home and its basic components. However, the home inspection does not cover everything. For these, you might want to hire inspectors who specialize in these areas. For example, the inspector does not look at what's happening behind the walls. Therefore, never skip a termite inspection. By the time evidence of their infestation is visible, they may have already done thousands of dollars of damage inside the walls. They also do not test for hazardous materials like asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, or other dangerous substances. While they do climb up on the roof for a visual inspection of its condition, they do not check out any of the accessories, such as solar panels or antennae. The septic system and swimming pool are not on their list checklist either. Also, their electrical inspection only covers the superficial stuff (light switches, electrical outlets, service panels, etc.). If you want a more extensive inspection you need to hire an electricial inspector. Finally, a home inspector does not inspect the condition of the ground the house stands on even if they notate cracks in the foundation. You will need a geological inspector to come out for that.
Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate
