What to expect from a home inspection – Shelton Herald

Lisa Harrison Rivas, Staff writer

What to expect from a home inspection

For most of us, buying a house is the biggest investment well ever make. People often spend months searching for their dream home. But before the packing starts, its a good idea to call a home inspector.

Heres what you can expect from a home inspection.

An inspection is done after a house is under contract, meaning a signed offer has been accepted. If you are working with a real estate agent, he or she can provide a list of licensed inspectors. Lenders require houses be inspected for structural defects and pests, such as termites and carpenter ants. All lenders require a Wood Destroying Insect Report on pre-existing homes before funds will be advanced for the sale. The report will state if the house has an infestation or damage from a previous infestation and if the house has been previously treated for termites. Sheds can be a haven for termites, so they also should be inspected. Keep in mind, the Wood Destroying Insect Report must be done within 30 days of closing the sale on the house, so its a good idea to have this inspection done last in case the closing is delayed.

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After the structure of the house is examined, the inspector will issue a report on the roof, foundation, heating and cooling system, electrical system, plumbing and other visible defects. Common issues inspectors find include damage from moisture, aging roofs, heating/cooling problems and improperly installed insulation. Cracked or shifting foundations are common in South Texas. In older homes, especially in rural areas, the wiring can be a problem. Inspectors will check to see if the house has sufficient electrical capacity needed to power newer appliances safely.

Once the inspector finishes the report, decisions will be made about which items need to be addressed before moving forward with the sale of the house. The buyers agent will send repair requests to the sellers agent, and both parties will sign off on which items will be repaired. The long summers in South Texas mean air conditioning systems are running most of the year, so potential homebuyers generally want sellers to pay a licensed technician to do routine maintenance on the heating and cooling system before closing on the house. Inspectors say a lot of the problems they see are caused by unlicensed Mr. Fix-its.

If youre the seller, make sure to keep all receipts for completed repairs. And if youre the buyer, make sure you ask to see them during the final walk-through. The buyer, unless he or she is financing with a VA loan, usually pays for both the general structural inspection and theWood Destroying Insect Report, but like anything, this is negotiable. The cost varies depending on the size of the house, but expect to spend from $300 to $500 for the structural report. Again, depending on the square footage of the house and whether the foundation is a slab or pier and beam, a Wood Destroying Insect Report can cost between $75 and $200.

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What to expect from a home inspection - Shelton Herald