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When you’re looking for a new home, there are so many things you have to think about. Besides working with a qualified real estate agent, getting a home inspection is one of the most important aspects of purchasing a home. It’s crucial to ensure that your investment is worthwhile before moving in.
Be prepared, home inspections usually sprout up quite a few issues, especially if you’re purchasing an older home. The best thing to remember is that these are issues you can talk about with the seller before closing on the home. Here are a few costly repairs that you should keep in mind, and discuss with your real estate agent, before purchasing a home.
Major roof leakage
If the home has experienced major leakage, it could cost you in the long-run. You’ll want to get a history of roof leakage in the home. If there is a history of roof leakage, be sure to ask if the home has ever been exposed to mold. If there is a presence of mold in the home, you’ll want to request it be removed before closing. If you’re not sure if there’s mold, be sure to ask if there has been any history of it or water leaks.
HVAC System
If you find an older home, you’ll want to check on the life expectancy of the HVAC system. Replacing an entire HVAC system can cost thousands of dollars—you shouldn’t have to worry about that when you’re already making a big purchase.
Electrical Issues
Having defects with the home’s electrical panel is a big safety hazard and having problems with your drainage can both cause serious issues with the home’s integrity as well as affect your electric bill. This can be a big factor to negotiate after the home inspection comes through.
Plumbing Problems
If there are issues with your home’s plumbing that are bad enough to affect your move into the home, then you’ll want to know about it. Try flushing the toilet and make sure you don’t hear any running noises. A running toilet can end up costing you in your utility payment. You’ll also want to check on how easily the sinks and showers drain. Older homes may have backed up drains, which can cause your sink or shower to fill up quickly.
Next Steps
Smart buyers will ask their realtor questions about homeowner protection services to make sure that they’re covered after closing the deal. Just about anything can truly be negotiated when you close on your new home, but when it comes to your home inspections, there are a few “must-haves” when it comes to fixing major issues with your home. Be fair and balanced with your negotiations, but if any of these issues pop up on your home inspection, your seller should be willing to fix these problems before closing.
