Century 21 New Millennium

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Many buyers wonder if a home inspection is necessary when purchasing a home.  Whether it's a New Home or Existing Home a Home Inspection can disclose some very important information to the buyer.  Here are some of the items that a home inspection should cover:

• Siding: Look for dents or buckling
• Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
• Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
• Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
• Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping
• Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts
• Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away
• Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
• Appliances: Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and, yes, even smoke detectors.
• Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room
• Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
• Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating
• Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors.
• Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism
• Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell
• Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
• Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family
• Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains

What is Not Covered During a Home Inspection?:

• Asbestos
• Radon, Methane, Radiation and Formaldehyde
• Wood-Destroying Organisms
• Mold, Mildew and Fungi
• Rodents
• Lead

Once a home inspection is completed a report should be provided to both the agent and buyer outlining a summary of the issues found and detailing what is recommended to be resolved immediately.  Many of the items found may be maintenance issues or things to look out for in the future.  The report and addendum (of requested repairs) are then sent to the listing agent/seller.