When you buy a home, you know it's a major investment. That's why it's so important that you know about any potential defects before you make the purchase. Some issues are easy to see, such as damaged asphalt shingles on the roof, but others are more difficult to see, especially to the untrained eye. Before you purchase a home, it's beneficial for you to pay for a thorough inspection of the property you're considering. A home inspection will identify problems that you might not have noticed, but that could become real headaches later on. When you schedule your home inspection, you'll need to make sure that the following four areas are included in the inspection.
Electrical Wiring and Breakers
If you don't know what you're looking for, you could miss some potentially serious problems with electrical systems. Even if you check to make sure that the homes are equipped with GFCI outlets in each bathroom, and that the outlets have no visible signs of damage, such as scorching or melting, you could still miss more serious issues. During a home inspection, the entire electrical system will be inspected, including the wiring and circuit breakers. Once the inspection is completed, you'll know how sound the electrical system is within the house.
Plumbing System
You probably know to turn all the faucets on and flush the toilets to check for water pressure and to look under sinks to check for leaks. However, those simple tests won't identify more serious problems that can be lurking in the walls, or underground. Before you buy a home, you need to have the plumbing inspected, including the sewer lines, or septic if the home has one. The inspection should include a video tour of the drains to check for cracks or collapses. A thorough plumbing inspection will identify serious problems that could prove costly to repair.
Lot Drainage
If you're going to be purchasing a home in a region that experiences a significant amount of rainfall, you want to make sure that the lot has sufficient drainage for the task at hand. The last thing you want to do is purchase a home that floods each year. Have the lot inspected to ensure that it has adequate drainage and that it's sloped properly to keep water away from the home and its foundation.
Attic Space
You might not think that the attic would be necessary to inspect. However, you can learn a lot about a home by looking in the attic. For instance, by looking up towards the roof, you can tell if the roof leaks. If you can see light coming through the roof, it leaks. You can also tell how energy efficient the home is. If you can see the floor of the attic through the insulation, the home isn't very well insulated. If you can see mold growing on the walls, the home has a moisture problem. Before you purchase a home, make sure you have the attic inspected.
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