When you’re buying a home, you’ll need to hire a home inspector to come out and view the property so you can ensure you’re making the right decision. While sellers are supposed to disclose any issues a home has, that doesn’t always happen; sometimes homeowners don’t know about a defect, or — in very few cases — the homeowners do know and don’t want it to affect the sale.
That’s just one of the reasons it’s important to hire a home inspector.
But when you hire an inspector, what is he or she looking for?
What Home Inspectors Look For in a House
A home inspector has one job: to examine the house and find defects. He or she isn’t interested in swaying your decision to buy (you don’t have to worry that your inspector will be biased, because he or she gets paid either way).
Your home inspector will check:
- Structure. This includes everything from the foundation to the roof, and the inspector will look for defects.
- Exterior. From deterioration to leaks, the inspector will evaluate the home’s exterior condition.
- Interior. Doorways, counters and windows are all part of an inspection, as are appliances, stairs and floors.
- Roof. The inspector will check for loose shingles, determine how tight flashing is, and check whether gutters and drains are operational.
- HVAC system. Inspectors check the HVAC system to find out whether it’s working, including the filters and supply pipes.
- Plumbing. Water flow, pipes and drains, as well as wastewater systems, are all subject to checks by home inspectors.
While each inspector has a different order of operations, yours will cover all the bases. He or she will look for cracks, leaks and other issues, as well as anything else that may affect the home’s stability or safety.
Some inspectors even test water to find out whether certain bacteria is present.
Are You Moving to the Tampa Bay Area?
If you’re thinking about buying a home in Tampa Bay, we can help. Call us at 727-586-8480 or 813-961-6000. You can also contact us online if it’s easier. We’ll help you find the perfect home for your needs.