After you find a that “perfect home”, the next step is to ensure the house is in top condition with a home inspection. Once the buyer and seller have settled on price, it’s the last safeguard for the buyer to know the soon-to-be-purchased home is really worth the money. But a home inspection is never a guarantee that your new home is going to be in perfect working order.
There are certain things a home inspector will check, and some things he/she won’t. For some things, you need to hire an expert to check out those parts of the home that may not be covererd by a home inspection report.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are one of the top problems home inspectors can miss because the technicians may be reluctant to run the air conditioning in extreme cold, or to check the heat in blistering heat. The inspectors do this because they do not want to do damage by running the unit too long in adverse conditions or they do not want to be held responsible for repairs if it breaks a few days after the new homeowner moves in.
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When the home inspection report is issued, it usually contains a disclaimer that relieves inspectors of this liability. To cover any glitches with your heating and cooling systems down the road, it is recommended that you have the system checked by a licensed specialist separate from the home inspection.
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. - Roof Leaks
The number-one culprit to slip through a home inspection is roof leaks. That’s because most home inspectors don’t physically access the roof to check on its condition. Instead, inspectors generally examine the roof from ground level with binoculars, or when possible, they’ll look out higher level windows to get a view of roofing below. Inspectors will note torn or missing shingles and nail pops that may or may not be indicative of a full-fledged problem. To guarantee that you are buying a house with a durable roof, you should consider hiring a licensed roofing contractor to provide a full evaluation of its condition.
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. - Faulty Appliances
Part of a home inspection is checking that all major appliances are functioning properly. This is the second most likely flaw to be overlooked in a home inspection. To confirm that all appliances are in working order, a technician will run them through one or two cycles to make sure there’s no trouble, such as a leaking refrigerator or a smoking dryer.
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However, the check is only a neutral source confirming that the appliances work, not an internal or technical diagnostic of the appliance. That means an appliance could work fine the day the inspector tests it, and flare-up on move-in day when the seller has already been absolved of any responsibility.
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. - Damaged Siding and Windows
Many real estate contracts are structured so that major systems, such as electric and plumbing, are reviewed and obligate the seller to fix any deficiencies to complete the sale. But other imperfections that fall outside of the contract’s purview may go unrepaired. For example, damaged siding or old windows that the seller is not required to fix, but that could develop into a much bigger problem later.
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. - Under the Carpet
Inspectors look for evidence of significant wear that are in plain view, but the things that can’t be seen pose a risk. It is recommended that you shadow an inspector to have them look at concerns you have about the house and probing what is under some moldy carpet or is lurking behind paneling. Buyers can seek sellers’ permission to remove superficial facades for the inspector to take a deeper look.
If the home inspection report indicates there may be a problem with your dream home, the process doesn’t end there. Next, it’s up to you to hire specialists – whether it’s a roofing contractor or an air conditioning technician – to fully investigate the problem at hand. It may run you a few hundred dollars upfront, but that could be peanuts compared to the thousands of dollars unreported or unresolved problems could costs after the sale has been finalized.