What are Home Inspectors Looking For?

Published On: April 24, 2019|Categories: Blog, Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Jasper IN Real Estate, Mortgages|Tags: appraisers, home inspectors, inspections, selling a home|

Home Inspection can invoke dread in the mind of many sellers, but it really shouldn’t. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn about your home and more importantly – to not be sued! There are certain material defects that you must disclose to a buyer according to state law or risk a lawsuit – such as roots that grow into the sewer system or walls that are filled with asbestos, which can cause cancer. It is quite possible to be named in a lawsuit if these defects come to light, so it’s better to either repair or disclose them.

Many people think that their home must be perfect to be in a saleable condition. This is simply untrue. In fact, home inspectors find defects in brand new constructions – it’s not at all unheard of for someone to have dozens of “defects” show up on the report. The important thing to keep in mind is that most of these are not true issues and need no attention – they are simply a list of things that an inspector finds that is less than perfect. There are a few things that are very important, however, so pay close attention to any of the following on a home inspector’s report, whether selling or buying:

HVAC system, so make sure it’s properly maintained and cleaned each year
Interior plumbing, especially anything that drips or leaks, or areas where water damage is apparent.
Electrical systems, such as missing outlet covers, exposed wires, light switches that don’t work.
A roof that is intact, not overly aged, free of missing shingles,
Floors that are intact, without water damage or missing planks
Windows and doors that have a good seal and no gaps
Cracks in walls or ceilings or signs of water damage on the ceiling
Foundations, including cracks in the foundation or mold or water in the basement/crawlspace
Attic and visible insulation

A home inspection usually takes 2-4 hours and most home inspectors will let you tag along, which is well worth the time to find out about your home. There are some things that will need to be addressed ASAP before you sell, which may include: mold, presence of asbestos, radon, termites, and lead piping or paint. Some of these may be pricey to fix, but far less expensive than a lawsuit, and you will likely recoup the money in the successful sale of your home.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new homes every hour. By signing up for New Listing alerts you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!