What To Look for During Your First Home Inspection

If you’ve come across this post, a congratulations is in order! You’ve purchased your first home! Acquiring a home is thrilling yet terrifying; among writing checks and signing contracts, first-time home buyers go through a multi-step process before finalizing their purchase.

Within the process, there will be time to visit your potential space and take an in-depth look at what it has to offer. However, what you see isn’t always what you get!

Behind the granite countertops, a paved driveway, and cosmetic repairs, you may discover foundation damage, unreliable plumbing, and broken appliances. As a crucial phase of the home-buying process, a home inspection will tell you everything you want to know about a property before claiming it on your own. Here’s what to look for during your first home inspection.

Sturdy Foundation

The home inspector will have the expertise to identify concerns in the foundation. It helps to view your potential home’s structure to learn about concerns before they cause serious damage.

Start by examining the outside perimeter of the property; bulges or leaning of any kind may indicate uneven loads on the property’s foundation.

Be aware of any cracks or water damage on the home’s exterior that could indicate underlying problems requiring repairs from a structural engineer. Afterward, you can move toward the residence’s interior and look for cracks and separation in the walls.

Functioning Thermostats and HVAC System

An efficiently operating HVAC system is central to maintain adequate temperatures within the home. Experts may inspect outside units and test machinery to determine proper functioning. However, professionals don’t always have all the equipment necessary to conduct thorough inspections.

Take this time to contact a separate specialist for a second opinion; these experts are able to determine any repair opportunities and provide ways to optimize your HVAC system.

Basement, Attic, and Crawl Space

Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are common homes for pests. These locations tend to suffer the most damage that negatively affects your home’s foundation due to their ability to harbor moisture.

You’ll also want to ensure attics have enough insulation to promote adequate temperatures within the abode.

Many first-time home buyers underestimate the dozens of details they need to address. While knowing everything about purchasing a dwelling isn’t expected, it helps to have some knowledge in your back pocket.

Knowing what to look for during your first home inspection will determine your potential abode’s worth or if a more suitable and safer option exists on the market.