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Home Inspections: Do I Need One?
Whether you’re buying a newly constructed luxury condominium or an 18th century Colonial farmhouse, one of the best investments you can make prior to settlement is a home inspection.
Home inspections are thorough, professional inspections conducted by certified experts who are experienced at evaluating the condition of a home, finding areas that may need repairs, and providing insight to potential homebuyers in order to eliminate future “surprises.” Home Inspections also serve as a personal introduction to the “nuts & bolts” of your potential new home.
While home inspections are not required by law in order to complete a real
estate transaction in Virginia, they are always a good idea for a buyer. We
always recommend them to potential homebuyers, whether they are buying new
or resale homes.
Now that we’ve established that, yes, a buyer needs a home inspection, let’s discuss a little about what the typical inspection entails.
Most home inspections follow a specific protocol that begins with the structural elements of the home from foundation to roof. Most also include just about everything in between, as well as the features and landscape surrounding the home.
Home inspectors check the slope of the lot and the available drainage, they check the condition of the glass in the windows and the seals on windows and doors. The condition of interior and exterior wall coverings, siding, brick, gutter systems, plumbing and electrical are inspected and documented.
Home inspectors typically cover the gamut from the general to the specific while not delving into the cosmetics of the property. Generally there are two categories of deficiencies that your inspector will note: needed repairs of a type large enough to likely cost more than $500 to repair, and safety issues no matter the cost. Most go as far as turning on and off all faucets to check for pressure and leaks, checking the working condition of all appliances, and even making sure the door bell works and is wired properly in the electrical panel.
A thorough home inspection includes a calculation of the efficiency, appropriateness and performance features of heating and cooling systems, documents the age of the systems, and rates the condition of the residence on a sliding scale based on its age and structural make-up.
Special licenses are required for checking for radon gas, lead-based paint, and asbestos, as well as termites and other rodents or black mold, but there are home inspectors available who are fully qualified to do it all.
Virginia State Law requires that the Seller obtain a well, septic (if appropriate) and wood-boring insect inspection 30 days prior to settlement. It is up to the Buyer to investigate and verify other details.
The biggest reason to invest the few hundred dollars it costs for a thorough and professional home inspection is to make sure all hidden problems and potential problems with the property have been exposed. Although most sellers provide full disclosure, potential problems not known to the seller may exist. A well written inspection contingency has saved many Buyers from future expenses.
If you’re planning to buy a home, plan also to enlist the services
of a certified home inspector to make sure you know exactly what you’re
purchasing. For more information, contact
us for a list of local inspectors.
All information in this newsletter is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.
Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc.
2520 WoodBrook Court
Charlottesville, Va 22901
434.220.0256
1.888.8Va.Land
E-mail
us
Licensed to sell real estate in the state of Virginia
2008© Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc.
Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc.
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
1-434.220.0256
