First Time Home Buyers
Be Sure To Attend the Home Inspection
Be sure to attend the home inspection; the inspection should take about two hours. One picture is worth a thousand words, and there's a unique opportunity to learn about the home and its systems.
Be Sure That the Home Inspector is well equipped
The home inspector should be fully equipped with necessary tools including electrical testers, a fuel gas and carbon monoxide detector, moisture meter, ladder, inspection mirror, flashlight, level, and other home inspection tools.
Be Sure to Follow the Home Inspector and Ask Questions
No questions are foolish, learn as much as you can from the home inspector during the home inspection.
Be Sure That All of the Following Points Are Fully Covered
Location, Location, Location, you've heard that often enough when looking for a home. Once you find your home, there's nothing more important than Foundation, Foundation, Foundation, you need to know that the home you are purchasing is Level (that's an important reason for retaining the services of a home inspection company an ISHI Certified PhI Member).
The physical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems should be thoroughly inspected and evaluated. The home inspector should look for aluminum electrical distribution wires, electrical systems that are not adequate for modern usage, lead and galvanized steel water supply pipes, aged and inefficient heating and air-conditioning systems, etc.
The home inspector should be able to include an inspection for wood destroying insects that will be accepted by your mortgage lender. Please let the inspector know up front so that he can bring along a qualified specialist.
If the home has a well and/or septic system, these systems should also be able to be evaluated. Please let the inspector know up front so that he can bring along a qualified specialist.
The home inspector should look for materials that may be asbestos containing materials.
Be Sure To Consider Optional Tests
Where applicable, testing underground storage tanks, testing paint for lead, testing drinking water for lead, testing well supplied drinking water for bacteria, testing for radon gas in air, testing for urea formaldehyde foam insulation, etc. Please let the inspector know up front so that he can bring along a qualified specialist.
Be Sure To Obtain A Full Verbal Report From The Home Inspector At The Time Of The Home Inspection
The home inspection report should be available the next working day after the home inspection but a full verbal report should be obtained at the conclusion of the home inspection.
