Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Different Types Of Real Estate Inspections

By Pammy McGrath


Home inspections are a big part of the home buying process, and most of these inspections occur in the days following having your offer accepted by the sellers. The results of these inspections will let you know about any problem areas in and around the house as well as the yard. You might want to consider having several different types of home inspections.

The most common type of inspection is a general inspection, and this will take several hours for the inspector to complete. They should inspect both the interior and exterior structure, as well as looking over the grounds. This professional should look at the electrical outlets, water faucets, drains, windows, roof, attic and all of the rooms. They are looking to make sure that the home is not only in good shape, but that all of the electrical components of your home are safe and working. Usually, an inspector will find ,a few minor issues, as almost no home is 100% perfect. Generally, this costs several hundred dollars, depending on the size of the property.

In addition to the general inspection, there are quite a few other inspections that you probably should at least consider. Hiring a termite inspector is a great idea, as you cannot always see the evidence of termites yourself, but the inspector will know where to look. They also can look for evidence of other common pests, such as rats and mice.

If your home has some special features, you might need to hire some specialists to check out these items. A pool inspector is a good option for homes with a pool and/or a spa. If you have chimneys, you can hire an inspector who can come and look at the fireplace as well as the chimneys, and this is particularly important with an older home. For a home built prior to the 1970s, it can be good have someone check for signs of lead paint and asbestos, especially if the home's ownership has remained consistent for many years. A roof inspector is also a good idea for almost any home, especially if your general inspector sees any evidence of disrepair.

Sometimes you are buying a home in an area where the ground is unstable, such as an earthquake-prone area. Homes react differently to seismic movement based on the type of ground on which they have been built. In addition, some areas are prone to soil problems, and a geologist can do a survey of the area as well as looking through your house and at your foundation for signs of cracks and settlement problems. Sometimes poor drainage and a lack of proper irrigation can cause homes to settle poorly as well, and a geologist can make recommendations to keep problems from occurring in the future.

Often, your realtor can some suggest some excellent inspectors, and they also often know a variety of contractors and service people that can help with any necessary repairs. If you are getting ready to purchase real estate in Fredericksburg or any Texas Hill Country real estate, contact the experts at Nixon Real Estate today.




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