If you’ve been following along with our Mortgage Madness series, you’ve learned the most important steps to take to find your dream home and how to go about securing financing for it.
The next step in the process is to make sure the home you want to buy is in good shape before you make one of the biggest purchases of your life.
A home inspection is a necessary and inexpensive step in the home-buying process to ensure you know the overall condition of the property.
When it comes to finding a home inspector, some questions you can ask them are:
- Are you certified?
- Are you licensed?
- How long have you been a home inspector?
- What type of report will you provide after the home inspection is complete?
In the state of New Hampshire, home inspectors also need to carry two types of insurance in case they miss something significant: General Liability Insurance and Errors and Omissions Insurance.
Asking these questions will help you find a home inspector you feel comfortable with and can build trust with.
But what value does a home inspector bring to you in the home-buying process?
A complete home inspection covers the roof to the basement and many things in-between including the driveway, foundation, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. It’s also important to note that your inspector might suggest add-ons in addition to the standard inspection depending on where the home is located.
For example, homes located in rural New Hampshire may also need to be tested for radon. Radon is a radioactive gas released from rocks and since New Hampshire is the Granite State, it is possible older homes found in rural areas are built on top of rocks that emit this gas.
If you have cracks in your concrete floor, radon may seep through the floor into the house. This is just one example of a specialty item your inspector might suggest adding to your home inspection. Although it’s very important to be aware of radon in your new home, be advised this service will cost extra to your home inspection.
As a buyer, it’s important that you are present for the whole inspection which could take quite some time depending on the size of the property and the condition it is in.
An experienced home inspector will walk you through the inspection as they do it, so you fully understand their findings once they send you the inspection report.
Your inspector might start the inspection by asking you if you noticed anything of concern when you previously visited the property. This gives them a sense of what might be more noticeable as they complete their inspection checklist.
When the inspection is complete, you and your mortgage provider will receive a copy of the 50-100 page report with pictures and inspection information.
Home inspections are such an important part of the home-buying process because they give you a clear picture of the home you’re about to purchase from an expert.
If you are a first-time homebuyer and haven’t read the other installments of our Mortgage Madness series, read them here: Securing Financing for Your Dream Home | 3 Steps to Finding Your Dream Home
Also, attend our First Time Homebuyer Webinar on April 4th, 2023 for more information and the opportunity to ask experts your homebuying questions.
