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Have you ever wondered what a home inspection is? Let us fill you in.
What is it?
A home inspection is a 3rd party consulting service that provides a limited, non-invasive, examination of the property’s condition. It focuses more on the functional state of the home rather than cosmetic or design issues. Additional inspections may be done, such as termite and radon, but common items an inspector looks at are:
- Structure: foundation, joists, and framing
- Exterior: sidewalks, windows, doors, siding, and surface drainage
- Roofing: age, draining systems, shingles, and any potential for pooling of water
- Plumbing: water heater, pumps, water pressure, pipes, corrosion, and drainage
- Electrical: wiring, breakers, service panels, fuses, and disconnects
- HVAC: all heating and cooling equipment, vents, flues, insulation, and ventilation
- Interiors: walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, countertops, and cabinets
This list can be a lot longer but you get the idea. The inspector is basically evaluating the state of how your home is performing at that time and this is valuable information to have.
Why is it important to have an inspection?
- Know what you’re getting: The more you know about the home, the fewer surprises you will encounter and you can be better prepared for any future improvements or repairs that may need to be made.
- Save Money: Ultimately the inspection can help save you money in the long run by exposing potential issues or problems before they become a much bigger expense down the road.
- Negotiating power: Depending on the results, an inspection can potentially give us the ability to negotiate a lower price, request certain repairs to be completed by the seller before the transaction is completed, or possibly have the seller concede money at closing. This isn’t always the case but knowing the home’s condition helps.
If you need help finding a home inspector that you can trust, call us today at 615-933-1000 or send us an email at info@livingtn.com and we’ll set you up with one of our reputable vendors!