When buyers look at a new home in Illinois, they often get caught up in their emotions. This can make it difficult for buyers to imagine any problems with the property. A home inspection alerts purchasers to any problems with the home and can be a tool for negotiation with the seller.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual review of both the exterior and interior structure of a home and its components. When an inspector finds a problem during the process, they will list the issue in a report along with a description of it. They may also recommend further evaluation. Before buying a home and signing the sales contract, purchasers should consider what repairs are needed and who is going to pay for them.
What an inspection should include
Depending on the type of property, the home inspection will vary. For example, if a buyer is thinking about purchasing a large and historic piece of real estate, the property will require a more detailed inspection than a small, one-bedroom condo. However, most inspections will include several basic components. These include the following:
- Exterior – The inspector should look at the home’s driveways, sidewalks, attached porches, decks, sliding and the surface drainage system.
- Structure – The foundation, framing and other structural components should be looked at by the inspector. This part of the inspection is extremely important because a home’s structure impacts its resistance to the weather and gravity.
- Plumbing – Rust spots, corrosion and poor water pressure can all indicate that a problem exists with the home’s plumbing system. All pipes, water heating equipment, fuel storage systems and sump pumps should be inspected.
- Roofing –The inspector should check for pooling water on the roof, loose gutters, deteriorating or buckled shingles, signs of flashing and the roof’s age.
- Heating and Cooling – The home’s energy rating, age of the water heater and whether the heating system is an adequate size for the property should all be considered. Additionally, the inspector should perform a thorough inspection of the home’s cooling system.
- Interior –The home’s garage doors, countertops and cabinets, steps, stairways, walls, ceilings and floors should be looked at by the inspector. The inspector should also check for insect damage, construction imperfections and rot.
Homebuyers should take the inspection process seriously and ensure that the inspector thoroughly checked the important components of the property they are thinking about purchasing. To ensure the home inspection provided a fair examination of the home’s imperfections, buyers may benefit from speaking with an attorney who can analyze the inspector’s report.
