Buying a Los Angeles Home. The Importance of a Home Inspection

Congratulations! You searched and searched and finally found your dream home! Do you realize the importance of a home inspection before you buy? This may be one of your largest purchases ever. Would you buy a car without giving it a test drive? Of course not! Doesn’t it make sense to have a set of experienced eyes examine your new home before you invest your hard-earned dollars? Of course!

You may think your handy uncle can look over your new home to see if everything is OK. Don’t risk it! A home inspector has the uncanny ability to discover defects not seen by an untrained eye. I’ll let you in on a dirty little secret. There are no perfect homes! Every home has defects of one kind or another, even new construction! A home inspector will thoroughly evaluate the systems and structure of your new home and then provide a comprehensive report with photos.

How much is a home inspection? Inspection can range from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand, depending on the size, age, and complexity of the property. If you opt not to purchase a home inspection, just one surprise may cost you more than the money you saved on the inspection fee! Doesn’t it make sense to hire a professional home inspector? A home inspection usually pays for itself in the form of repairs by the seller or consideration for repairs at closing.

Here’s a partial list of common defects found at a home inspection:  

  • Moisture intrusion
  • Lack of maintenance
  • Roof issues
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Foundation defects
  • Substandard repairs and installations
  • Electrical problems
  • Systems nearing the end of their useful life
  • Defective or hazardous components
  • Carbon monoxide hazards
  • Structural damage
  • Hazardous materials

A qualified, experienced home inspector will investigate every accessible area of your home and discover clues to its past history. This includes crawling under the home if it has a raised foundation, walking the roof, and entering the attic area. These areas are not easily accessible and are often neglected or go unnoticed by homeowners. They may contain critical defects that will affect the structure of the home or allow water entry that could cause major damage.

Originally posted at First Choice Inspections

Check out “How to Interpret the Home Inspection”

 

Buying a Los Angeles Home – The Series:

Step 1:  Getting ready to buy

Step 2:  Why use a Realtor?

Step 3:  Define your criteria

Step 4:  Start your search

Step 5:  Make your offer (about the purchase contract)

Step 6:  Be prepared to negotiate

Step 7:  Go through the escrow process

Step 8:  Taking Title

Step 9:  The importance of a home inspection

Step 10:  Prepare for your new home

Need Help? Have questions? Fill out the CONTACT FORM or call Jane at 310-351-9208

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