A Buyers guide to Home Inspections

A home inspection is the norm in Nevada’s real estate market nowadays and can play a major factor in the success of a sale.  This process allows the buyer to identify precisely what they are buying and can be a huge cause of anxiety for unprepared sellers. There are an unlimited number of horror stories floating around the web about people who have purchased a property which looked lovely on the outside but had serious defects inside.

Major faults and problems can cost property buyers many thousands of dollars to fix, assuming that they can be fixed. Do not forget about the emotional drain of seeing your “rewarding” purchase turn into a catastrophe.

Home inspections; why is it necessary?

Before you even think to purchase a property, you should carry out an inspection yourself before you even put down an offer on an interesting house. Once your offer has been accepted by the sellers, bring in a licensed inspector to take a look at the home and make sure there are no expensive repairs that need to be completed. Based on the inspection result, you can use this to negotiate with the seller regarding the price of the home.

The intention of the inspection is to appraise the home and empower the potential buyer to make an informed decision concerning its acquisition. Frequently, a contract to buying a home contains a contingency clause declaring that the contract is worthless until the buyer has had the chance to confirm the state of the home they are buying.

The assessment is usually carried out by an expert home inspector that is certified and trained in home inspections. Nevada Real Estate Division is where home inspectors receive their regulation and certification, for Las Vegas real estate. If in doubt, as the professional for their credentials before starting.

Before engaging a professional inspector, this checklist will help you with your own inspections. This will come in handy if you are considering to buy a new property. If there is something wrong, it is better to find it before it is too late, especially before any money leaves your pockets.

To ensure you make the best use of your time during open house digest this list so you will be ready to make an offer with confidence when you find the right place.

Look inside the home:

Look at the condition of the walls and flooring and make a note of any of the damages. You should take a close look at floors, walls and ceilings and the windows, doors, egress, steps, stairways, and vapor and insulation barriers in unfinished railings and spaces; cabinets and countertops; and the garage systems. These areas can reveal rot, insect damage, leaks, construction defects and much more.

·         Structure

The home’s “infrastructure” should be able to with stand gravity, weather, and the ground that encloses it. Structural components include items such as the framing and the foundation. Comprising of the foundation, floors, walls, columns, beams, ceilings and roof elements.

Look high and low for big cracks in brickwork, walls, and the ceilings, doors that do not close properly and squishy or uneven feeling flooring, as these can all be evidence of movement or sinking of the foundation. If the damage is harsh, it may signify a giant problem that could cost up to thousands of dollars to restore.

Sticky windows: If windows do not close and open correctly, the frames may have distorted if they are wood or they could have rusted if they are metal. Be on the lookout for new paint jobs that can hide both. You can tell if the wood is decaying by applying pressure with your finger –there is a problem if it is soft.

·         Roofing

A decent seller will share very important info about your rooftop, including its roof draining systems, age, buckled shingles, and downspouts and loose gutters including, drip edges, flashings, skylights, chimneys, eaves and soffits and downspouts, vents and all protrusions through the covering and decking and any visible roof-related issues. They should also notify you of the state of any chimneys and skylights as well as the likelihood of pooling water.

·         Attic

Check framing, insulation, and ventilation. If you can, look through the manhole into the roof to check the condition and the age of the insulation and ask whether the walls are insulated. Insulation ought to be suitable for the weather. Without correct ventilation, extra moisture can bring on water damage and mold. If you see extended, pencil-like protrusions from the rafters, they may be signs of a termite infestation. You also want to make sure there are not a lot of additional holes in the rafters, and that the boards all look even and solid. There should not be any signs of deterioration.

·         Damp

Are there any signs of mold, rising damp or water damage? Blistering of plasterboard, warped floorboards and water stains on ceilings are all red flags. These are signs indicating a water problem that can be potentially expensive to repair. Check for paint damage, stains, and water marks. Sellers will occasionally hide damp by painting over it, so use your sense of smell.

·         New paint

Run your hands over the walls and look at them from different angles to see if you can find any problems. Paint is regularly used to mask physical defects.

·         Floor coverings

Pick up any rugs to make sure they are not covering any damage. Check the carpets for wearing away and decide whether they will need replacement.

·         Pests

Look for signs of pest trouble, such as mouse traps or rat poisons. Steps, sagging floors, and springy floors, as well as hollow-sounding beams, can all be signs of termite damage. You should think about getting a professional pest inspection if you are serious about buying a property.

·         Kitchen and laundry

Check the quality and age of the cupboards and bench tops and ensure there is room to house all your appliances. Including faucets, sinks, drainage, outlets, ventilation, plumbing, lights and receptacles.

·         Bathrooms

Including sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, taps and faucets, valves, exhaust fans, piping, drains and functional water flow. It is usually a sign that there is a ventilation problem that needs to be fixed if there is mold in the bathroom.  Furthermore, you most likely will need to repaint and re-grout. Check for broken surfaces and damaged enamel. Lifting tiles or cracked and loose grout can be signs of water damage. Check the pipes and plumbing for leakages.

·         Heating and air conditioning

The home’s vents, boilers, and outputs of furnaces, flues, radiators, piping, air flow at registers, ducting, chimneys and thermostat controls should be examined. And also examine all the through-wall cooling equipment and central air.
Hot-water facility: Ask about their service records, how well it performs and the age of the unit. Ask when it was last serviced and check for rust and leaks.

A water heater that is banging or gurgling may need extensive repairs or just may need to be cleaned. If you hear any random sounds coming from the water heater, ask the seller directly about it.

Also, check the surrounding area around the water heater. Make sure there is not any water or sediment around the unit itself and the exterior of the unit is solid. A sagging floor under the water heater or around could signify prior flooding.

·         Plumbing

Water pressure: Turn on the taps in the bathroom, laundry, and kitchen. Check how well the water drains, the color and pressure of the water. Also check the supply and waste piping, piping materials, cross connections, clean-outs, water flow, hose bibs, gas supply pipes, hot water heaters, meter and main shut off, venting and traps. Sump pumps and drainage pumps also fall under this category. Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots, or corrosion can indicate larger problems.

·         Electrical

You should be informed of the condition of service panels, breakers and fuses, service entrance wires, and disconnects. Outdated sockets and switches can be signs of old wiring that could need replacing. Also, take note of the number of outlets in each room. Check that there are enough points in the correct places and think about whether you will need to add more.

·         Fly screens

Make sure fly screens are fitted where necessary and are not damaged. They can be surprisingly expensive to replace.

·         Furnishings

If you already own furniture, think about where it will all go and how it will fit with the property. You may need to consider how much additional furniture you will need and whether you will need to replace any of it.

·         Renovations

Ask these questions during your examination. Are there any areas that require renovation? Is the house ready to move in? Are you willing to work on some projects or will a major renovation be needed? If you are planning to renovate, it will greatly help if you go above and beyond to check how easy it is to lift up the tiles and whether you can remove any carpets. If you are able to do so and it is safe, get under the house to see if floorboards can be polished or whether they need replacing. Check the quality of the fittings and fixtures to see what needs to be restored or updated. Repainting or changing the wallpaper is simple to do but can be expensive, especially if you hire someone to do it. Contemplate on how much work needs to be done. Think about how much work the kitchen and bathrooms will need as sometimes they need the most work.

Look outside the home:

You want to examine the structure of the house both inside and outside. The roof and the sides of the house should be straight. Make sure nothing is sagging or bowed, and that the paint or siding is in decent condition. You should pay attention to any steps, sidewalks, doors, windows, driveways, siding, surface drainage and trim. You should also inspect any attached decks, porches, and balconies including lot grading, eaves and downspouts, exterior finishes, railings, all protrusions through the home, to the outside, including exhaust vents and intake, central air conditioning components, natural gas service, electrical service entrance, garage doors, garages, exposed foundation walls and much more. Below is the breakdown:

·         Orientation

Check which direction the house faces and whether the living areas will be too hot or cold.

·         Plumbing

Check the external pipes for rust and leaks.

·         Fuse box

You want to be on the lookout for any evidence of sloppy electrical work or any spliced wires hanging outside the box. Sloppy wires at the box characteristically are a good sign that there may be problems elsewhere. Make sure it meets safety requirements and is modern. If you have any doubts, get an electrician to check the box and the house wiring before you buy.

·         Guttering

Look for rust, holes, leaks, warps and signs that the gutters overflow. Think about whether the leaves from close trees will cause difficulties. Check whether the drainage and downpipes are in order and fixed well to the storm water drain.

·         Asbestos

Ask whether and where asbestos has been used. Most frequently, it is found in roofing, fencing, and walls. It is always best to have asbestos evaluated and removed professionally. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause grave health problems so if in doubt, hire an expert.

·         Roof

That is right again! Look at the roof from the ground. Take note of any damaged or missing shingles. Make sure the gutters are clean and in good shape. An undulating or sagging roof can be a sign of underlying structural issues.

·         General appearance

Hairline cracks in the foundation classically are not anything to worry about, though this depends on the age of the house. Wider cracks may be a signal of significant structural problems with the house. Check the overall state of the building and look for cracks in the cement work or brickwork, damaged windows or whether it needs a new coat of paint.

·         Extensions

Check the quality of the workmanship on any extensions and ask to see the building permit.

·         Termites

Ask whether the area is liable to termites or other insects and double-check what you are told by the local authority and community. Check for termite damage wherever any wood touches the ground, such as alongside pergolas, decking, and walls.

Tip: As you tour the home take pictures and make notes of things that catch your eye or are not in good condition. This will seriously impact what you can afford to spend, especially if you will need to carry out several projects or a major renovation after moving in.

Look at the surrounding land and structures

You can learn a lot about the state of a house just by walking around the land surrounding it. Check the quality of the driveway and lot as well as the condition of any exterior constructions, such as a storage unit or free-standing garage. Also look out for the following:

·         Trees

Trees approaching the end of their lives can be a danger and be quite expensive to remove. Be on the lookout for any standing debris or water. If there are any large trees near the house, they should not have branches hanging over the house that could damage the roof. Check the condition, type, and age of trees in the garden and check whether any trees (including those owned by the neighbors) have the possibility to damage your property by dropping branches or falling down.

·         Garden

Check whether there are adequate water outlets for watering and whether the garden’s shape and size will meet your requirements. Check the general state of the garden and contemplate how much work will be needed to maintain or improve what is already there.

·         Privacy

If the property is overlooked by neighboring houses, it can affect your enjoyment of your outside spaces. If the neighbors can see in, think about whether high-growing plants, trees, fences or screens might fix the problem.

·         Fencing

Check the gates and fences for damage. If restorations are needed, find out what your share of the cost will be.

·         External structures

Check pergolas, sheds, decking, and carports to make sure they are in good condition and are stable.

·         Pools and spas

Look for bulges or cracks in sides and pool bottoms. Check the lighting, heating systems, and filtration. Check for evidence of repairs or leaks and the condition of the surrounding paving. Ask for evidence of any servicing and maintenance. Pool repairs can be expensive, so bring in an expert if you have any concerns.

·         Drainage

Check for water damage on both the main property and any surrounding structures. Wet or muddy patches in the garden can indicate poor drainage. These checks are necessary if the block is at the base of a hill of if the land slopes.

Tip: Try to ask to look at the house when it is raining. You can observe the drainage and make sure water is flowing away from the house. It is often difficult to get approval from the local authorities to remove trees. It is something that can affect your landscaping and renovation plans.

After looking both inside and outside, the next place to look is the immediate community, local area and then start to look at the next steps. Imagine you and your family already living in the area, what are your initial concerns or needs? Here are a few things to consider:

Security concerns

If security is of high importance for you be sure to check whether there are locks on the windows, security doors fitted, and deadlocks to the main entryways. Check that the garage is lockable and whether there is a home security system installed. If not, these will all be additions you will have to swallow later so that you feel safe and secure in your new home.

Necessities

When shopping for a new house the majority of people will create their own wish list in their head. Listing all of the key features they are looking for in a new home. This could be a train station within walking distance, four bedrooms for your growing family, a big master suite with double vanity, a decent backyard for your pets, an eight-burner gas cooktop, two secure off street car spaces or a cinema room. Whatever it may be, be sure to note down which properties you see cover some or, if you are lucky, all your wish list requirements. Make sure there are the right number of rooms in the right places, as well as sufficient storage to meet your needs. The closer the fit, the less work, and expenses you will need to make on your new home to make it feel like home.

Rates and fees

If you speak to a financial advisor before commencing house hunting they can help you understand your mortgage repayments, budget, stamp duty, insurance costs, and any exemptions or grants you might be entitled to. At the inspection, it is important to make sure you can afford the property moving forward by requesting from the agent what are the utility rates, water rates, and any additional fees that may be incurred.

Engage the agent

Finally, if you are interested in the property it is priceless to take the time to speak with the agent. Good things to ask include: how long has the property been on the market, why is it for sale in the first place, do you have recent building inspection reports, have you had any offers yet, are the sellers open to negotiation and whether they have any similar listings coming up, in case you miss out. Also, request information about similar recent sales in the area to get an idea of what would be an accurate sale price.

After your inspection, reflect for a few moments on what you have uncovered. Write down your findings and estimate how much any repairs will cost. Assess whether the costs overshadow the benefits of buying the property. If you still want to proceed with the purchase, it is time to bring in the experts.