A home inspection is a visual examination of a residential property performed by licensed home inspectors in San Diego. It’s by far the most cost-effective way to identify any underlying problems with a property, and as such is a crucial step in the home buying process.
Unfortunately, due to inexperience or a lack of information, many Americans fail to take full advantage of their home inspections. This can easily lead to you purchasing or selling a house at an unfavorable price and suffering a significant financial hit as a result.
We’re here to help you avoid that situation. In the following article, we’ll provide you with a list of crucial questions every home buyer or seller should ask before and during their home inspection. Read on to learn more!
What questions should you ask during a home inspection?
First off, you want to check if the home inspector you’re considering has the appropriate licensing for your state. Also, ask them if they’re insured and how much experience they have. As a rule of thumb, you should only hire inspectors who work for trusted home inspection companies that make sure you get a fair deal.
Once the inspection is underway, remember to ask the following:
What’s the roof like?
A faulty roof can have a major impact on a home sale, so make sure it gets a thorough examination. Are the shingles in good condition? What about the eavestrough? Are the gutters full of asphalt granules? Is there major damage, or advanced wear and tear?
How good is the insulation?
The long term costs of heating and cooling are directly dependent on how well a home is insulated. Proper insulation and ventilation also minimizes the possibility of a mold or mildew infestation. At the very least, the insulation should have the R-Value of 60, and not contain asbestos.
How’s the electrical?
Bad electrical systems can lead to life-threatening fires. In fact, knob-and-tube electrical systems are so risky that some insurers will automatically refuse to insure a house that has them. The inspector should perform a close examination of the electrical systems to ensure it’s in good condition.
What about the plumbing?
Faulty plumbing can lead to damaging floods, mold infestations, overflowing toilets, and undrinkable tap water. On top of that, old houses often have lead piping which can wear down over time and cause lead particles to get into the water supply.
Is the place structurally sound?
A home inspector needs to ensure a house’s foundations are solid and that they don’t have any large cracks. A crack is considered serious if it’s wide enough to stick a dime in. If this is the case, you should consider getting a second opinion from a structural engineer or a foundation specialist.
Is there a pest infestation?
Mice, rats, cockroaches, and other critters are known to spread disease and ruin our food. As if that wasn’t bad enough, carpenter ants and termites can literally cause a house to become unstable. Your inspector should check for any signs of these dangerous pests.
Where can I hire the top home inspectors in San Diego and the rest of Orange County?
That home in Point Loma you’re thinking of buying or selling may look wonderful, but like all residential properties it almost certainly has a few problems that may require costly repairs.
Having it examined by a home inspection expert before putting it up for sale or signing a buying deal is vital if you want to ensure you don’t regret your decision at a later date. Here at Inspectors Company, we can help you with that.
As the leading home inspection company in San Diego, we have the training, the experience, and the equipment necessary to render first-rate home inspections. Get in touch with us today!
