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Step 11: Do Home Inspection
Home Inspection is a specialized skill and there are inspectors who have expertise in this area. The cost for getting some real estate inspected depends upon the detailed level of inspection desired. There are different types of inspections that can be performed, though not all buyers get all types of inspections done. Some of the most common types of inspections are:
General Home Inspection: A single home inspector may be able to provide you with a complete service that covers many areas/aspects of the home like: basement, attic, bathrooms, electric/wiring, insulation, plumbing, gas/fuel, furnace, heating (and cooling) system, built-in appliances, foundation, construction, masonry walls, fireplaces and chimneys, roof, etc. This is useful for going over the overall details of the house. They may also be a good source of information.
Pest/termite Inspection: During this type of inspection you would find out if the house has any pests (termites, carpenter ants or other boring pests) problem. The pest/termite inspector can often also report on structural irregularities such as wood rot, foundation displacement etc. Some of the local pest control agencies may be able to offer you such a service for nominal rates.
Plumbing Inspection: A general home inspector usually determines the state of plumbing by checking some things such as water pressure, condition and type of drains & pipes, leaks, rusts etc. But, if you want to have a more thorough plumbing inspection done then consider hiring a plumbing inspector.
Water Testing: Cities and towns that supply water are usually required to conduct quite extensive and routine water tests to ensure the quality of water. Hence, in such cases you might want to consider relying on the city/town's water tests which are usually much more elaborate than what you/your inspector can conduct. On the other hand, if the house has a private source of water such as a well, water testing should be considered. Water testing labs can typically tell you the bacteria content and mineral content of water. It might also be a good idea to test the gallons-per-minute pumping capacity of the well pump.
Lead Testing: This testing checks for lead content in the house. A lead testing specialist may perform this test in various locations of the house.
Septic/Cesspool Testing: This testing sometimes involves emptying the septic tank and testing for the overall proper functioning of the system. Some inspectors/septic service professionals might perform a dye test wherein they drop dye tablets into the system and run water through it to see if the dye surfaces, indicating a problem. It is also a good idea to locate the leaching area and determine if it appears to be healthy.
Radon: Radon testing should be considered in certain parts of the country that are known to have high levels of radon. Usually the local Environment Protection Agency (EPA) office should be able to supply you with general radon levels/conditions in the area you are considering buying. A specialist may be called to check for radon levels or you can buy the radon kit (a charcoal-based detector) and collect radon sample(s) yourself. The sample(s) can then be delivered to the radon testing lab. The results are generally made available within 24-48 hours time period.
Asbestos: If it's an older home, you may want to test for Asbestos in the house.
Electrical: The general home inspection usually covers basic electrical system inspection comprising checking amperage, checking for exposed wires, determination of type of wiring, wiring and outlets adequacy, etc. If you/inspector determine that there is a problem in the electrical system (for example, aluminum wiring which has been declared by the federal government as an "imminent hazard"), an inspection by an electrician might be in order.
New Home Inspection: Some of the inspections described above also apply to new homes. In addition, you may also want to perform inspection for: construction type and material used, ensuring that the new appliances are installed as designed, ensuring that all fittings and equipments are used as per specification and agreement, chances of water seepage in the basement, possibility of roof leakage, any new land grading issues etc.
Note: This checklist is meant to give you a sense of inspection areas to look into when considering purchasing a property. But, it is by no means an exhaustive list of all the different kinds of inspections that can be performed, nor do I mean to imply that all of these inspection are always necessary. There may be other types of inspections as well and you must carefully consider all your options as well as the expenses. Not all home buyers perform all the inspections. You have to make your own decision as to which ones are of value to you and are relevant. Consider obtaining additional information from professional home inspection services, home inspection books, ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), etc.
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