Home inspections

Why home inspections?

It seems like an unnecessary expense. Home inspectors charge $250 and more for their service. But if there are structural problems with the house that may be only diagnosed by a trained experienced eye, your new house may not be worth the price you have offered to pay. Hence, home inspection is like insurance. You cannot know in advance if you will need it.

Choosing a home inspectors

Home inspectors are trained professionals. A home inspector does not have to be licensed in order to practice the profession in Michigan. Therefore it is important to carefully select an experienced inspector. (10 questions to ask a home inspector). Again ask your friends and your agent for recommendations. Some inspectors are cheaper than the others but who is to say if you are getting your money's worth.

What to expect during the home inspection

The home inspector examines every aspect of the house: Siding, Foundations, Exterior Brick, Insulation, Doors and Windows, Roof, Ceilings, walls, and moldings, Porch/Deck, Electrical system, Plumbing system, Water Heater, Furnace/Air Conditioning, Garage, Basement, Attic, Septic Tanks (if applicable), and Driveways/Sidewalks. In short it is the responsibility of the inspector to thoroughly examine the house to locate any problem with the house that is not apparent to a non-expert.

Home inspectors identify and report on both minor and major problems. Hence it is a good idea to be present when the inspection is done because you will learn a great deal about the house and its problems from the inspector.

Other inspections

There are other important inspections that need to be done. 1. Lead inspection 2. pest inspection 3. Radon gas inspection.

What to expect after the inspections

The inspector will present you with a report listing both major and minor problems. If there are major structural problems that cannot be easily corrected, you should take them seriously. As for minor problems, your agent can write an addentum asking the seller to correct them or pay for them. Definitely, there is no perfect house and you will have to learn to accept some of them and correct them at your own expense after the purchase.