Home inspections are used to provide an opportunity for a buyer to identify any major issues with a home prior to closing. Your first clue that a home inspection is important is that it can be used as a contingency in your contract with the seller. A contingency provides that if significant defects are revealed by a home inspection, you can back out of your purchase offer, free of penalty, within a certain timeframe.

Before you buy a home, one of the things you should do is to have it checked out by a professional home inspector. Many people feel this is an added unnecessary expense, but really, why wouldn’t you want to protect yourself and the investment you are about to make? Here are key areas that an inspector looks at:

• Electric: It is important to ensure wiring was done correctly and the amp amount is suitable for the home, to test all outlets, and check for functional ground fault circuit interrupters and your electrical panel.

• Roof: A new roof is a costly expense for a new homeowner. They will check to see how old the current roof is and its condition and check the condition of the gutters.

• Foundation: They will look for cracks and visible damage.

• Flooring: A pest inspector will make sure that termites and other wood-loving insects do not call your floors home presently or haven’t been past guests.

• HVAC: This is your heating and cooling systems. They will check when it was installed, if any repairs have been made and that it is working properly.

• Water Drainage: The inspector will let you know whether the grading slopes away from the house as it should. If it doesn’t, water could get into the house and cause damage.

• Exterior Walls: They will check for damaged or missing siding, cracks. They will let you know which problems are cosmetic and which could be more serious.

• Plumbing: They will check all faucets and showers, test water pressure and look for visible leaks.

• Safety: A home inspection can detect safety issues like radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which all homes should be tested for.

• Reveal Illegal Additions or Installations: An inspection can reveal whether rooms, altered garages or basements were completed without a proper permit, or did not follow code.

So, you can see how important it is to protect yourself. It’s truly a small expense when you look at the cost of not having one.

Until next week….

Jill Santandrea, Broker Manager, EXIT Homestead Realty Professionals LLC, 1070 E Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360; 856-692-EXIT; Cell: 856-362-0967; Direct: 888-856-5455; TheJillTeam.com; E-mail: [email protected]; Text JillS to 85377 for my mobile business card. Listen to Jill on 99.9FM SNJ Radio Today. Source: 2019 Buffini & Company