Home Inspection Types That All Buyers Should Consider
Purchasing A Home Is A Big Deal
If you are ready to take the plunge and purchase a new home, can be a pretty big deal. Buying a home is a large investment. You want to make sure the house is in as good of shape as possible. Unfortunately you can’t look through walls and see the ‘bones’ like the image below. Unless you have that power, a home inspection by a licensed inspector should be your first stop. It is easy to lose track of the steps needed to purchase a house. Making sure the bones are good should be a priority. This is because finding a problem early can save you money later. Also, a good report will make the house more desirable.
This article about home inspection was originally published by Hannah Tan from Redfin.
16 Types of Home Inspections that Buyers Should Consider
March 18, 2021 by Hannah Tan
Buying a home is a large investment, and making sure the house is in the best condition possible is a top concern for any buyer, regardless of if it’s your first home or an investment property. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a home. But you’ll want to make sure you include a home inspection in your list of priorities. This is to avoid any potential issues or unforeseen costs as you get further into the home buying process.
A general home inspection is almost always recommended for anyone buying a home. However, savvy buyers will do their due diligence by scheduling specialty home inspections. This is especially important if the house is older or has specific features. From the roof down to the foundation, there are several specialized types of home inspections. Most of these you may want to consider before sealing the deal on your dream home.
Do I need a specialized home inspection?
Depending on the home’s age, location or condition, you might consider special types of home inspections. You can use inspections to investigate potential issues common in homes in your area. General home inspections are great at giving you an idea of the overall state of the house. But they do not typically test for things like asbestos or mold. You want to make sure you know everything about the property before signing on the dotted line. In fact, here are 16 different types of home inspections you should consider:
1) Roof inspection
Most general home inspections will catch obvious roof problems. These include dark streaks or stains on your ceiling or loose shingles. Those items can be seen with a visual inspection from the ground. However, a roof inspector will conduct a more thorough inspection. That investigation that may reveal issues that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. This can include checking for unsecured shingles and bad gutters, both of which could allow water to enter the home.
2) Chimney inspection
A chimney inspection can alert you of any potential problems in the firebox or flue, buildup, or blockages that you can bring to the homeowners to fix before closing on the home. Like all inspections, the inspector will perform a visual assessment. This will include exterior cracks or damage in the mortar. Also it will clear the chimney of any buildup of creosote that can combust if left untreated. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood. This type of home inspection aims to prevent chimney fires and smoke or odors from seeping inside the home. This can be an issue when burning wood in colder months.
3) Attic inspection
The roof may look sound and secure from the outside, but you should take a closer look. There may be signs of structural damage in the attic that can be easily missed with a general inspection. If you’re planning to look for your dream home in Phoenix, AZ to enjoy sunny weather year-round, you can expect to have your air conditioning running day and night, which can easily add to your energy bill. An attic inspection will let you know if there’s sufficient or damaged insulation that needs to be remedied. Moreover, a trained specialist will have the equipment necessary to identify signs of mold or moisture. The presence of this can compromise the foundation’s integrity.
4) Electrical inspection
Regardless of if you’re looking at a new construction or an older home, making sure the wiring is up-to-date and complies with city codes will help you avoid any troubles later on. You can read more on electrical panels in a previous post here. Safety, comfort, and improved energy-efficiency are important. These a few of the benefits you will gain from having your electrical systems inspected by a professional. Wires can become frayed and damaged from regular wear-and-tear and pose a dangerous fire hazard to your home and family.
5) HVAC inspection
A strange sound or smell could indicate an underlying issue that could affect your HVAC system. This could lead to increased heating and cooling costs or worse. You may even need to replace it with a whole new system. An HVAC inspection provides a clearer picture of the home’s heating and cooling system. This report can even give you recommendations for repairs or energy-efficient upgrades.
6) Mold inspection
Just because you can’t see mold doesn’t mean there isn’t any lurking away in your dream home. In fact, a mold problem could indicate that the home is harboring larger issues such as water damage, leaks, or flooding. A specialist trained in mold remediation will typically conduct a visual assessment. This will include a sample the air and surfaces in the home to determine the type of mold present. This type of home inspection may even use thermal imaging. You can read more on thermal imaging in an earlier post. Imaging can be used to locate damp or cold spots behind walls where mold tends to thrive.
7) Pest inspection
Termites and other wood-loving pests can cause irreparable damage to the property that is costly to replace. A general home inspection may show areas of damage that might attract these unwanted guests. But only a trained specialist can definitively identify if there is continuing presence of pests. These pests can include termites, carpenter ants, rodents, spiders, in your home’s exterior and interior. They can also verify how large the infestation is and how long the pest has been there. Not only will it save you a headache from dealing with a potential infestation, getting a pest inspection conducted early on will let you know you’re investing in a pest-free home.
8) Lead-based paint inspection
Older homes built before 1978 – and even some after – could contain lead-based paint. On these occasions, it is highly recommended to be tested by a trained professional. Even low levels of lead-based paint may cause health issues. These health can be hazardous if you’re buying a home with young children. A specialist will check for peeling or chipped paint around the house. They then will collect samples to be tested in a lab for the presence of lead.
9) Plumbing inspection
A plumbing emergency is never convenient. To prevent issues like a sewer backup or a failing water heater from becoming a homeowner’s nightmare, investing in a plumbing inspection before making the down payment can bring underlying issues to light. A professional will either conduct a visual inspection or use a diagnostic camera to verify that fixtures and appliances are installed properly and check for signs of water damage under or behind appliances.
10) Septic inspection
Like plumbing emergencies, a malfunctioning septic system can spell costly repairs (and unpleasant odors) if not caught before you’re under contract. A trained professional will locate and assess the septic tank, sludge layer, and absorption area to ensure all components are in working order and that the tank is the right size for the home. You wouldn’t want to buy a home with a failed septic system, so consider a septic inspection if you’re buying a home with a septic tank.
11) Radon inspection
If you’re looking for your future home in regions where basements are common, requesting a radon test as part of the home’s overall inspection can help bring you peace of mind. Nearly 1 out of every 5 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels, and the EPA recommends that all houses be tested for radon levels during the point of sale. In most cases, you can request the seller’s previous radon test results as part of the home inspection and use that as a point of comparison.
12) Asbestos inspection
If you’re buying a home that was built before 1975, asbestos may be present in one or more of its construction materials. An asbestos inspection should be conducted by a certified asbestos removal company. Keep in mind that while asbestos tests take time, the entire home is inspected to ensure no asbestos-containing materials remain in the home you want to purchase. If the inspector recommends a removal, make sure this is addressed before signing off on the contract.
13) Pool or spa inspection
A pool is a great outdoor amenity, but not inspecting the pool’s structure and equipment systems, such as its pumps, heaters, and filters could cause many problems down the road. The existing pool might be leak-free and solid, but the pool’s plumbing system needs to be inspected to ensure the water is draining properly. Also that the safety covers and hardware are sufficient to secure the pool when not in use.
14) Soil stability inspection
The state of the soil around the property can play an important role in determining if the home’s foundation adequately supports the soil that surrounds it. After all, you don’t want part of the hill your future home is sitting on to slide away during a rainstorm. A soil analysis by a trained professional can help prep you for the potential issues of hillside living and will test for the probability of erosion, gillies, or mud flows due to the soil shifting.
15) Foundation inspection
You might be a seasoned flipper or first time home buyer. Inspecting your perspective homes foundation can be overlooked when going through the types of home inspections you should consider. Large cracks in the exterior and interior walls, uneven floors, gaps between walls and the ceiling, or even doors that won’t close properly are potential warning signs that there may be bigger foundational issues that have gone unnoticed. A structural engineer can identify these problems, and you may be able to bring these up to the seller to fix during negotiations – saving you time and money by preventing the conditions from worsening.
16) Crawl space inspection
Homes with crawl spaces in areas where there’s high humidity, like Seattle, WA, should be strong contenders for a crawl space inspection. As moisture condensates on surfaces in the crawl space, mold, wood rot, and even termite infestations can occur due to space becoming increasingly humid. A professional will identify signs of a rotting crawl space and save you from making a costly mistake.
Are these different types of home inspections worth the investment?
While they could add up in costs and time, home inspections can give you peace of mind in the long run. These types of home inspections help reveal problems in-depth that a general home inspection might only highlight as a possible issue. You can notify the current owners as soon as possible to get the repairs underway in case you want to continue with the home purchase. Addressing these issues early in the home buying process is key to saving you money down the road.