The Problem-seeking Home Inspection

By Shelley Wake

A home inspection generally has two purposes. The first is to determine if the house is what you want. The second is to find out if there are any problems with the house. Many people get so focused on the first purpose, they forget about the second.

This is easy to do, especially if you've been looking for a long time. You're so relieved about finally finding what looks like the right home, the last thing you want is to find out there's something wrong with it. So instead of looking for the things that might be wrong, you assume that everything will be fine.

Unfortunately, if you buy a house with problems you can't just return it and ask for a refund; you're stuck with those problems. Don't take the risk - check out the house properly. If you find problems, you can still buy the house. You just take those problems into account as you're deciding whether to purchase and use them as a negotiation tool.

Professional Inspections

Professional inspection can be expensive, but it's always worth the money, even if you're buying a brand new house. If you do all the inspections and find out there are no problems, you've just bought peace of mind. If you do all the inspections and find out there are problems, you've just found out something that will save you money. Either you factor in the problems, negotiate, and decide to buy anyway, or you decide to pass. Either way, you've saved yourself from paying the price of finding out the problems when it's too late.

Check Renovations

Janice moved into a recently renovated home. One of the special features was a bathroom with floor to ceiling tiles. Six months after moving in, the bathroom tiles began falling off. Janice called in a professional and was told that the tiling had been done using a cheap glue that wasn't even meant for tiles and that the floor to ceiling tiling had been done to cover up major damage to the walls. Janice had to pay the fix the walls and to redo all the tiling.

Many people renovate houses as a way of reselling to make a profit. Since the renovators know they aren't going to live in the house, not all renovators complete the work properly. If you're looking at a home that has been recently renovated, look into the renovations. Ask who completed the work, ask for details on what was done, and ask a professional to check the work.

Speak to Locals

Speaking to locals about the area is always a good idea. Another good idea is to speak to local tradesmen in the area. They will know the common problems in the area, whether it be flood damage, subsidence, or termites. This will give you an idea of the special problems to look for as you inspect.

Focus on What You Can't Change

As you inspect, focus on the things that can't be changed, such as the location and the size of the yard. Problems with the things you can't change are often enough to ruin a home, no matter how almost perfect it is.