Rick Jacquemard, Flatirons Home Inspections
Before buying a home, one of the most important things you should do is to have the home checked out by a professional home inspector. Purchasing a home is often the largest investment you will ever make, why add another expense to the process if you’re not required to?
A professional home inspector will conduct an inspection of the general condition of the home. A good home inspection will assist a buyer in understanding exactly what they are about to acquire. A home may look move in ready, but a professional home inspector may reveal issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye. As a buyer, you are making a substantial investment. It is important to understand exactly what you are purchasing. Having a home inspector conduct a thorough inspection of the property, could potentially save you thousands of dollars.
A home inspector will examine a home’s structure, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and air-conditioning systems, interior, attics basements/crawl spaces, fire places and garages. Most inspectors will be able to have a comprehensive report delivered to you electronically by the next business day and offer a hard copy within a day or two.
In addition to the standard home inspection you should also consider some additional inspection. Some of these include radon testing, sewer scopes, tests for lead and asbestos and other potential environmental hazards. You should consult your realtor and/or home inspector to see if any of the additional test would be advisable.
Home inspections can be used as a contingency in your purchase offer. This contingency provides that if significant defects are revealed by a home inspection, you can back out of your offer, free of penalty, within a certain timeframe.
A home inspection is an added expense in the process of purchasing a home but in the long run you’ll be glad you did it. The inspection can reveal problems that you may be able to have the current owners to fix before you move in, saving you time and money. Or, you may ask for a reduction in the asking price. If you are a first-time homebuyer, an inspection can give you a crash course in home maintenance and a checklist of items that need attention to make your home as safe and sound as possible. Don’t skip this important step in the home-buying process – it’s worth every penny.
By Rick Jacquemard. For more information on home inspections contact Rick Jacquemard, at 720.280.3544, e-mail [email protected] or visit flatironshi.com.
