Why Do I Need a Home Inspection? | Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union
The seller accepted your offer, you’ve been approved for a mortgage from Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union, and you know you love the house you’re about to buy. So, why would you want to risk throwing that all away on a home inspection that could crash the whole party?
Because home inspections are an invaluable last line of protection for homebuyers that can keep you from landing yourself in a property that becomes a money pit or, far worse, threatens the health and safety of your family.
Even in instances in which the issues found are minor, finding them at this point can help you save big money or at least be ready to deal with the projects that lay ahead of you.
What Is a Home Inspection?
This check isn’t meant to find every issue that may be hiding in the walls of your new place, nor can the professional who completes it see into the future to protect problems that may emerge. Still, it is a thorough visual examination of the property from top to bottom.
Literally, because the inspector will check out the attic and/or the basement, if the structure has one or both of those, and may even climb on the roof to get a look at the shingles, chimney and other features.
The inspection will cover the structure itself, as the inspector looks for signs of problems that the untrained eye may miss. Those include indications of water damage, ongoing leaks and even scars from a long-past fire. Additionally, he will check integral systems, including the HVAC and electrical panel.
Some of the most extensive attention will be paid to the plumbing in the structure because of water’s power to cause so many issues in a home. To test water pressure and supply, the inspector will probably turn on faucets, flush toilets and run the dishwasher. He or she will also check where the water and sewer lines tie on to the municipal supply, if that’s the case at the property. If it’s on a well and septic system, both of those will also be checked to ensure they’re in proper working order and meet local codes.
Additionally, the inspector will look for several issues that could cause health issues for occupants, including:
- Presence of mold and/or mildew
- Electrical issues that could lead to a fire
- Problems that could compromise the structure
- Non-functioning smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors
What Are the Benefits of a Home Inspection?
As we said above, a home inspection could identify a serious issue that could make you decide not to purchase the home. However, in most cases the findings are less significant but still impactful.
In some instances, you may be able to negotiate the purchase price down a bit based on some of the issues identified in the inspection or you may be able to convince the seller to fix one or more of them. At the very least, the results of the inspection enable you to come into the purchase clear-eyed and prepared to face whatever unique challenges the new place may present.
That way you won’t be surprised when you realize you need to fix a leaking toilet or find a better way to vent the dryer.
When you’re ready to purchase a home, the folks you trust at Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union are ready to walk beside you through this exciting and challenging process. Give us a call today for a partner in your financial dreams.