The short answer to the question proffered in this article’s title is “yes.” When you’re purchasing a new home or office, it’s important to perform the due diligence that comes with making sure the property is worth the price the seller is asking. The best way to do this is to hire an inspector – a professional charged with knowing everything there is to know about the workings of a common home or office building, and whether it is in good shape overall.
An inspector can check the following for you.
1. The certification.
A certified inspector will be considerably more knowledgeable about things like local construction practices and codes. He or she will also be able to spot problems that wouldn’t be apparent to someone without a license or the experience that a license brings. To find a certified inspector, ask your realtor, or family and friends who have sold or bought homes or property in the past. You can also check with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
2. All areas of the home.
That includes everything inside and everything outside. The kitchen and the bathrooms, the basement and the attic, the plumbing and the electrical systems, the heating and cooling systems, and everything else. Things like bad wiring, inefficient insulation, dirty vents, permit violations, and faulty construction can lead to pricey home repairs, and it’s important to reveal them before closing the deal.
A qualified inspector will check the foundation of the home, its roof, bearing walls, the cellar (for unwanted water among other things), the existence of a septic system, and a myriad of other details. They will also inspect for toxic substances on the property (you may be liable for its cleanup if you discover it after you purchase the property), and any possible pest infestation such as termites. The latter is very important; a seemingly solid building can be weakened structurally, sometimes beyond repair, if a termite problem is not caught and resolved early on.
3. The obvious problems.
There exist plenty of problems that are visible to the naked eye, like roof leaks, water damage, and cracked foundation walls. But just knowing about these problems isn’t going far enough; a certified inspector can tell you exactly how bad these problems are and how much they’ll cost to fix.
4. Hidden problems.
There are plenty of little things around the house that can’t be seen with the untrained eye. Things like chimney cracks, tiny leaks, missing roof shingles, and mold can lead to pricey fixes. Make sure your inspector looks in areas like crawl spaces, to ensure that every possible problem is spotted in time. What’s more, small problems can be indicative of larger problems; an uneven floor or a tilted stairway is a good indication of foundation movement, for instance.
5. Not all problems are big.
Small problems like bad paint jobs or broken appliances can make good negotiating points, and can possibly lead to a slightly lower price or better deal from the seller. Have your inspector make a comprehensive list of these less urgent problems.
6. What to do afterward.
The home or office you’re looking at may have so many problems that it’s no longer a worthwhile investment. In cases like these, get out of the deal. And if the price you’ve agreed on is contingent on a positive inspection result, you may have to renegotiate.
Additionally, there are 5 important areas you must check when buying a home or office. Here is a list of points that when considered will save you time, money, and effort in the long run.
1. Electrical
This is an important aspect that one must take care of when buying property. Often it is seen that people buy homes and then face a lot of problems with the way wiring and electrical circuits are fixed. Many a times, the electrical work is done incorrectly. Carry out a thorough inspection of the house or building before buying it. Look through every nook and corner. If need arises, do not hesitate on hiring a professional inspector.
2. Foundation
The foundation of any building is of great importance. Foundation, when laid properly, adds life to the house or business. On the flipside, a foundation that is lacking in planning and strength poses a problem forever. Cracks appear in the walls, there is water logging, and at times even the problem of micro-fractures in tiles. This calls for an expert’s examination on the place before you buy it.
3. Plumbing
Plumbing is one of the major areas of concern as the beauty and live-ability of a house or office depends on it. It is an area that cannot be spotted easily but can cause the need for expensive repair work if plumbing issues arise. Most plumbing issues go undetected or in some cases improperly fixed which implies that the problem never really goes away. This makes it even more important to have such issues taken care of before you move into your new home or open your new office.
4. Woodwork
The quality of wood used for the woodwork is very important. At times when an already constructed building is up for sale, people interested in buying it neglect the quality of wood that has been used for woodwork and pay hefty sums of money later when the wood develops issues. The issues range from termite attack to swollen wood to water logged in the wood. The wood might not be strong enough and might give in to pressure and develop cracks. Thus, ensure that quality wood has been used all over the house or office building.
5. Landscaping
Landscaping is one feature that can break or make the beauty of a house or office. Landscaping should be done by leaving a proper buffer area from the building. This would ensure that you never run the risk of the occurrence of a foundation crack that affects the area adversely. A landscape that is too close to walls when watered leaves the foundation and soil expanded. When not watered, the foundation and soil shrinks. This process repeats multiple times to produce cracks.