It’s common for prospective homeowners to walk through and around their place before closing to spot any damage.
While this is a fine way to spot obvious problems, especially with new construction, the practice has its flaws. Namely that the average homeowner may not have the technical expertise to look closely at the physical state of the building, including structural integrity or deficiencies not visible to the untrained eye.
That’s why a professional Sacramento home inspector is recommended as part of the due diligence process.
Why Sacramento Home Inspections Are Wise
With a thorough home inspection, Sacramento residents are informed about many aspects of the property, everything from plumbing to the condition of the roof. Professional inspections don’t traditionally offer recommendations on how to fix something but they do provide information about major and minor problems and reference the appropriate tradesperson for further inspection.
They also can be part of the final negotiations about the purchase: a buyer can either accept the listed items “as is”, or they can require the seller to make some, or all, listed items repaired before the transaction is completed or funds are released from escrow.
In some cases, the seller may agree to make major repairs that are required to be fixed as part of safety codes, but leave the buyer to decide if they want to take care of the rest. This could potentially impact the final price as well – a homeowner who needs to spend a lot on final repairs noted in an inspection may want to raise the sale price to make up the difference. Or, making major modifications may even increase the value so they can ask for more.
On the other hand, the buyer may want to offer less after seeing the inspection since they will have to make these repairs after their purchase. They may even consider walking away if the inspection reveals greater problems than first observed. For instance, termite inspections, Sacramento residents may encounter intense structural damage requiring major renovation before legal occupancy can take place.
What Sacramento Home Inspectors Look For
Although there are several state and national property inspection organizations, each certified inspector will use the same checklist as a reference. The standard home inspector’s report will include an evaluation of the condition of the home’s:
- Heating/cooling systems
- Electrical/wiring
- Drainage and grading
- Plumbing
- Ventilation
- Roof/ceiling
- General interior
- General exterior
If problems are found, the inspector will refer you to the appropriate tradesperson for further evaluation. Home inspection companies cannot perform the repairs. For instance, if the home inspector found issues with the roof, they would recommend a roof inspection with a roof inspector. Sacramento roof inspectors examine age, what material it is made out of, and the extent of any damage like a few missing tiles that need repair or a total re-roof.
Home, Roof, & Termite Inspectors in Sacramento
HomeGuard Incorporated performs over 60,000 inspections each year. We offer excellent customer service, ease of ordering, and scheduling flexibility to meet the needs of our customers. Call 855-331-1900 today to schedule an inspection or order online.