So, you found the house of your dreams, and the seller has accepted your offer. Congradulations! Before the deal is closed, however, you need to have your potential new home inspected. Depending on any issues present in the home, you may still be able to neogitate with the seller, or decide the house isn’t worth all the hassle after all.

Andrew Cunningham-Moorat is an independent home inspector with an eye for detail. As a professional in the industry, he shares the top 8 problems found during a home inspection.

• A roof that needs replacing. This usually needs to be done about every 25 years, and can cost thousands of dollars.

• Problems with electrical wiring, especially in older homes.

• Poor drainage around the home.

• Hidden mold, which can be caused by improper drainage or leaks in the home.

• Plumbing issues, such as leaks and low water pressure.

• Inadequate ventilation and insulation in an attic. This is commonly an issue in older homes, and it can make the house less energy efficient.

• Issues with the foundation.

• Pest infestations, such as termites.

If you are going through the home buying process for the first time, you’ll know it is a lengthy and frustrating process. One thing that most people do when buying a home is getting a home inspection done on the property. Is it actually a legal requirement though?

Andrew Cunningham-Moorat is a professional independent home inspector with an eye for detail. His services are available for non commercial residential and mixed use properties. Cunningham-Moorat understands that a home inspector plays a vital role in the home buying process. Today he breaks down whether or not it is required to get a home inspection.

The short answer to this is no, it is not strictly a legal requirement to get a home inspection before purchasing a house. However, it is extremely risky not to get the home inspected before purchase.   Without a proper inspection, you have absolutely no idea what problems your new home may have. You mortgage provider will also strongly recommend that you get an inspection before purchase. Some things that the home inspector looks at include:

• AC and heating systems

• Water heater

• Plumbing

• Electrical system

• Walls, ceilings, and floors

• The attic and roof

• Windows

• Basements and foundations

Buying your first home is an excited and, at times, stressful process. One of the major things that needs to happen before the deal closes is a home inspection. If you have never gone through this process before, it can be hard to know how to find a reputable home inspector. 

Andrew Cunningham-Moorat is a home inspector with careful attention to detail. An expert in examining key areas of buildings, his home inspections are available for both residential and non-commercial properties. As an expert in his field, he shares his tips for finding a quality home inspector:

• Be aware of real estate agent recommendations. It is best to find your own home inspector instead of going with one the agent refers you to, as this poses a conflict of interest. An inspection that raises a lot of issues can be used to negotiate the price of the home down.

• A great way to find an inspector is to ask your friends who have recently bought their own home. 

• Check online for local home inspector reviews. See if they have good reviews on Google, Facebook, or other sites to make sure they provide a quality service. 

• Make sure the inspector is certified or licensed. 

• Ask potential inspectors for sample reports to see how thorough their inspections are. 

Buying your first home is both an exciting and stressful time. One step in the process is having your home inspected by an outside professional who can tell you about the condition of the house. While home inspectors will look at the actual structure of the home, there are also a lot of things they don’t look for that you will have to keep in mind. 

Andrew Cunningham-Moorat is a professional independent home inspector for non-commercial, residential, and mixed-used properties. He understands that a home inspector plays. Vital role in the home buying process. To help first-time buyers, he shares a list of what home inspectors do not look for during the inspection. You may need to hire another specialist or specialty inspector if you are worried about some of these items.

Home inspections do not generally include:

• Mold

• Asbestos

• Radon gas

• The ground and soil that your home is on or landscaping

• The condition of a swimming pool (other than the heaters and pumps)

• Septic systems

• Pests

• Indoor air quality

• Lead paint

• Insulation voids

• Cigarette smoke residue

• Fire sprinkler systems

• Alarm systems

• TV antenna or satellite dishes

• Detached structures

• Cosmetic things such as paint and wallpaper