Home inspections are an important part of the home buying process. Even though, in a competitive seller’s market, there may be pressure to make an offer without conditions. However, a home inspection is an inexpensive way to discover information about your home that may not be immediately noticeable or visible to an untrained eye. Information that could make getting home insurance or making claims difficult. If that reason isn’t enough, here are three more reasons why you should always invest in a home inspection before finalizing your home purchase.
Structural and Safety Issues
Do you know what to look for in the structure of a house to determine if it is sound? Can you spot faulty wiring or termite damage? A home inspector can, as they check the attic, basement, and all of the nooks and crannies of your prospective home. They will look for signs of sagging beams, crumbling foundations, the presence of mold, and many other structural problems or safety concerns—any of which could end up causing you to make home insurance claims in the future.
Susceptibility to Flooding
While the home inspector will spend a substantial amount of time inside the house, no inspection is complete without also taking a thorough look at the outside area around the house. If there are grading issues or other signs that flooding has been, or could be an issue, it’s better to know before you buy. Knowing that backflow vales and other safeguards are in place could help you get a break on your home insurance if you live in an area prone to basement flooding.
Improper Repairs or Renovations
In older houses that have had multiple owners, it is not uncommon for the owners to lose track of repairs and renovations done over time. A home inspector will be on the lookout for repairs that were not up to code, or places where sub-standard materials were used in renovations. Either of these situations could result in your home insurance claim being denied, or your insurance null and void.
Before making the most expensive purchase of your life, invest the few hundred dollars it costs to have a home inspection done by a qualified and certified professional. Knowing the ins-and-outs of your new home will give you peace of mind that your home is safe and well protected.
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