The biggest Columbia SC area home inspection mistake made by homebuyers is, not getting one!
Trying to save a couple of hundred dollars by not getting a home inspection could be a very costly mistake.
If you’re thinking of buying a home anywhere in the Columbia SC area, don’t make this home inspection mistake. The money you invest in a good home inspection can literally save you thousands later on.
Columbia SC New Home Inspections – Why?
A common misconception by many home buyers is that simply because their home is newly constructed that new home inspections aren’t really necessary. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are a lot of different things that need to be inspected upon the purchase of a new home. A Columbia SC new home inspection is required just as much as any older home, and they have a special set of considerations that need to be examined.
Home inspectors are part of the buying and selling process for the protection of the buyer and it is the buyer who is responsible for arranging their own inspection. If sellers (or in this case, builders) are hesitant to have their home inspected or try to convince you to skip the inspection then you could have a serious concern on your hands. What are they trying to hide? Never buy a home (new or used) without having a full inspection performed.
Home inspectors are trained to find things that could be, or become, huge issues to the home buyer. Typically they are concerned with the vital systems that are essential to the proper operation of the home. Systems like plumbing pipes and fixtures, the electrical system, septic system (if there is one) are all checked for wear & tear, quality and proper installation. The foundation needs to be examined for cracks and stress fractures. This kind of imperfection in the home’s structure can be quite dangerous and expensive to repair. However if left unattended it can cause huge problems later on in the home’s life.
Mold is another issue altogether and most home inspectors are not properly educated in the identification of and dealing with the various kinds of mold that can be found in homes. In fact, the best method of finding out about mold in the home is to hire a professional mold specialist. Mold is not generally a problem in newly constructed homes, but there’s no guarantee against mold becoming a problem in a new home, depending on how much moisture the home was exposed to during the open construction phase of the home building process. This is just one more reason for getting new home inspections performed.
Columbia SC new home inspections are critically important. Always be sure to have any home you are considering purchasing inspected. It is the only way to ensure that your investment is a wise one and that your family is safe and protected.
You’ve heard it a million times, if you’re buying a home, you must get a home inspection. This is not new news for anyone. What we want to cover in this article are the questions you should and should not ask when getting your Columbia SC home inspection done.
It is highly recommended that a client attend the home inspection in order to see the issues the inspector sees as the inspector finds them. This also gives the client the opportunity to ask the home inspector questions along the way about any items they do not fully understand.
Questions NOT to Ask When Getting Your Columbia SC Home Inspection
Don’t bother asking your home inspector if you should buy the home, if they would buy the home if they were you, or if they think the price is right. A home inspector is going to be neutral on things like this and should not be offering personal opinions about the value of the property. Their job is to offer their assessment of the home and present you with facts. The decision to buy is up to you.
Home inspectors are not appraisers, so don’t ask them for their opinion or judgment on the home’s value.
Some inspectors will include repair estimates on everything, while others may only be able to give estimates on certain items. Some may refer repairmen or suggest do-it-yourself methods, but others may not be able to give any help in this area. Home inspectors can answer most questions about the function of home components, but the above questions are simply outside of the field of expertise of most home inspectors.
Questions You SHOULD Ask When Getting Your Columbia SC Home Inspection
These are questions you should have written down to ask ahead of time. At the time of inspection, there is a lot going on, and if you don’t have these questions already written down, you may forget to ask them.
- Where is the main water shut off valve to the house?
- What is the typical life span of the roof on this home? Is there any special maintenance that needs to be done to it?
- If there is access to the attic, what does the attic look like? Is that space good for storing boxes, or would keepsakes be damaged up there?
- Is the electrical panel full, or is there room to expand?
- How is the drainage around the house?
- Which items are real safety concerns? Which items need to be addressed right away, and which can be taken care of down the road?
- Is there anything specific I need to know about up-keep on this particular home?
Buying a home is a big decision and can seem a bit overwhelming at times. This is why it is so important for potential buyers to take the time to ask the home inspector questions during their Columbia SC home inspection. They should take the opportunity to tap into their home inspector’s wealth of knowledge on the subject. Clients shouldn’t feel as if they are bothering the inspector. The majority of home inspectors are happy to provide information and share what they know, especially with first time home buyers.
If you have questions about getting a Columbia SC home inspection that we haven’t covered in this article, please comment and leave us your questions. We’ll get back to you with answers.