When buying a used TV, no matter how nice it looks, you’ll probably want to turn it around a few times, and check for cracks, scratches, and generally make sure the previous owners are giving it to you in a decent condition.
It stands to reason we’d want to do the same, and even to increase our diligence, the more valuable the object we purchase is, right? And yet, many people still wonder whether or not they really need a home inspection before moving into their new home. So let’s talk a bit about that.
First of all, what exactly is a home inspection? What’s covered?
Surely, you’ve looked around the place before moving in – otherwise, you wouldn’t be moving it. Unfortunately, a lot of technical and safety issues can hide in plain sight, but be difficult to detect to a layman. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional to inspect your home, and make sure it won’t blow up the week after you bought it – sometimes literally!
Typically, a thorough home inspection can last up to 3-4 hours, during which time the inspector will check both the exterior, and the interior of your home. On the outside, he’ll check:
- For cracks or missing siding in the exterior walls;
- That the grading slopes at a correct angle from the house;
- That the garage door is working well, and that the garage itself is properly ventilated;
- The roof for missing shingles, tears, and check the mastic around the vents.
The inspector will also want to take a look at the interior of your home. Inside, he will most likely wish to check:
- The electrical wiring in your home, and all the outlets individually, to make sure they’re working properly. They’ll also check that outlets in at-risk areas (like the kitchen or the bathroom) are properly secured against electrocution;
- Faucets, showers, and look for leaks. He will also look at the plumbing of your home, and may ask you to call a professional plumber, if the plumbs seem old, or damaged;
- The ventilation system, to ensure it’s not too old;
- Fire safety of your garage (if applicable);
- The kitchen appliances, bathroom faucets, and other individual appliances that should be working.
During the course of your home inspection, the inspector may also recommend that you schedule a wildlife removal control, if he suspects the presence of wild animals, pest damage, or other signs of an infestation. You can visit norcalwildliferemoval.com for pest animal removal. Not only are wild animals dangerous from a health perspective, but the damage they cause can affect the foundation of your home, the stability (through damage to support structures), and pose a fire hazard (damage to the electrical system).
Keep in mind that the home inspection probably won’t cover the inside of chimneys, sewers, walls, or look behind electrical panels. However, the inspector may be able to indicate if he considers any of these to be worth investigating further.
Why do you need an inspection before moving in?
So we’ve seen what a home inspection covers, but now let’s talk about why you should want to schedule that inspection. Well, we’d say that if you’re the party that’s just moving in, the answer ought to be pretty obvious. You want someone reputable to check your future home, and make sure you’re not buying something faulty. While for some buyers, necessary repairs might not put them off the home for good, others may consider that the cost of repairs is too much to handle (together with the cost of the home itself), and may wish to look elsewhere.
In the end, whether you as a buyer choose to have a home inspection or not before you move in is up to you. Personally, we’d advise you to go for a basic inspection, at the very least, lest you discover you’ve purchased a seriously damaged home, in need of serious repair.
As a seller, having your home professionally assessed can also serve a number of purposes. For one thing, it may increase the value of your home, if it’s in good condition, or has been repaired recently, which might mean you can list it for more.
It may also influence potential buyers to close the deal faster, if your home is repaired and in good condition (or at least, being repaired as the deal is closing). On the other hand, if you have your home inspected, and major issues are discovered, you will be obligated to disclose them to potential buyers before you seal the deal.
Is a home inspection worth it?
The answer to this one will vary from one person to the other. But generally, yes, it’s worth getting a home inspection before moving in (or before trying to sell your property).
We hope you found this blog post on Why is Home Inspection Necessary Before Moving In? useful. Be sure to check out Moving Out Inspection Checklist For Tenants for more great tips!
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