Why You Need A Home Inspection Before You Move

For many home buyers in College Station, getting a good deal on the home of their dreams is their first priority. However, there is more to getting a good deal on a home than simply settling on a fair price. In order to get a great deal, home shoppers need to make sure that the house that they are purchasing is in good condition.

This may not be as easy as some home buyers might think. While an open house event is a great way to check out a home inside and out, it's important to do a more thorough inspection. Your realtor in College Station, TX can help you find out about the importance of arranging a home inspection before you close a deal and move in. Here are just a few of the reasons that you need to set up a home inspection for the property that you have your eye on.

Uncovering Hidden Problems

Some of the issues that may be lurking in a particular home are not always easy to spot. While it can be easy to detect problems like cracks in the walls or doors that get stuck, other things may be hidden from view. For example, the insulation in a home may be worn out and in need of replacement. The foundation may have shifted in the home and repairs may be needed.

A qualified home inspector can conduct an in-depth search to locate hidden problems that might pop up at a later time. This can keep you from hassles and expensive repairs in the future.

Code Compliance

Depending on the area where you live, some home improvements or additions need to inspected, approved and certified by a city or county employee. For example, if you are buying a home from an owner who built an addition onto the house, you may not know if that work was cleared by an inspector or if it is up to code.

These kinds of unapproved additions can be in violation of city ordinances, not to mention that unapproved home projects might be unsafe. Your College Station realtor can put you in touch with a home inspector who can check out these kinds of home improvements and help you locate the city compliance records for the projects, which are often on file with the city.

Liability

With nearly all home sales, the seller is required to to disclose any serious issues with the home as part of the sale. For example, if the seller knows that damaged pipes in the basement leak and could cause a flooding hazard, the seller will likely be required to let you know about this. If the seller intentionally covers up some problems with the home, they could be liable for repairs or you could back out of the sale with no penalty.

However, it's still a good idea to hire a home inspector of your own. This is an extra bit of insurance to make sure that you are not held liable for any problems that should have been fixed by the seller.