Here Is How a Home Inspection Works for Buying & Selling

Here Is How a Home Inspection Works for Buying & Selling. To be sure about the home you want to buy is a good choice; you’ll need as much information as possible about it. Therefore, a home inspection is a fundamental tool when it comes to assessing the value of a property. It helps you to identify those points needing updates or repairs in a home. 

Alan Bridevaux, a realtor serving the McComb, MS metro area, estimates that a huge 99% of buyers require a home inspection before purchasing a home.

Here Is How a Home Inspection Works for Buying & Selling

But, what does a home inspection include?

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) lists standards of practice for performing a home inspection. Let’s check this list:

1. Structure (The Bones of the House):

It wouldn’t be a good idea to move to a home with a compromised structure. That’s why every home inspection begins with the structural system, including the foundation and framing.

An inspection will include checking the attics, the foundation, floor, walls, ceiling, and the roof. Inspectors look for moisture, cracks, or other signs of damage.

2. Outside the Home:

By checking a home’s exterior, an inspector can spot many issues, including structural problems. Thus, the home inspector should observe the shape of siding, trim, porches, sidewalks, windows, and more.

3. Roof and Roof Drainage:

Home inspectors should observe every element of your roofing system, including shingles, flashing, drainage, pipes, and vents. According to REALTORMag, they even should look at skylights and chimneys’ conditions.

Additionally, they must consider the age of your roof since insurance providers limit coverage on homes with old roofs. The reason? Insufficient ventilation can age a roof too early, causing it to fail before its time. Therefore, you should replace your dated roof before selling your home.

4. Plumbing:

Inspectors can review many visible plumbing-related items such as:

  1. Fixtures and faucets
  2. Hot water tanks
  3. Flues and chimneys
  4. Fuel tanks
  5. Sump pumps and sewage grinders

Inspectors will check if see if these items have water or fuel leaks. Also, they will check the presence of issues visible from the basement and unfinished areas. Likewise, they notice the type of lines (PVC, galvanized, copper) the home has.

5. Electrical:

A review of the electrical system is a critical part of any home inspection. It will tell you your service box rating and the state of the system. 

The home inspector should recognize things, such as dysfunctional and dangerous outlets and panel box items that don’t fulfill building codes. So, you’ll know if you can introduce home improvements such as hooking up an electric dryer or substituting an oil heating system for an electric one.

6. HVAC:

When inspecting the HVAC system, the inspector should observe:

  • Any visible issue like cracks or leaks
  • Visible elements such as flues and vents
  • The approximate age of the system

7. Inside the Home:

Many times, homebuyers fall in love with some elements of a house while other failing components go unnoticed for them. Besides, you will surely observe the most visible parts such as walls, ceilings, and flooring when walking-trough inside a home. But things like deterioration around windows are not so evident.

So, the part of the work of a home inspector is noting findings like these. Perhaps he cannot tell you if every appliance works properly. However, he at least should inform you if an appliance doesn’t power on.

8. Insulation & Ventilation:

Home inspectors can recognize the type and amount of insulation in incomplete areas. Also, they evaluate ventilation and exhaust system in bathrooms, the kitchen, basement, and attic.

9. Fireplaces:

When not properly installed, maintained, or operated, fireplaces and appliances as wood burners represent serious fire hazards. Your home inspector will register evident damages on them, but he cannot carry out an internal inspection. 

Thus, we recommend you consult a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep to perform an appropriate inspection.

Are you ready for your home inspection? ASHI offers an incredible virtual home inspection tool on their website that walks you through the items that certified home inspectors look for.

Don’t be afraid to ask your home inspector questions about any findings.

Do You Need a roof replacement? Give Long Roofing a call.

A new roof is one of the most important home investments you can make. 

If you need a new roof, call Roof Crafters at 225-667-1189.

If you have any questions about buying or selling your Mississippi home call Mississippi Landsource or our long-time partner Doug Rushing Realty at 601-966-4657.