Better Safe Than Sorry: 5 Things You NEED to Have Checked During Your Property Inspection

You’ve made the offer and the sellers of your new future home have finally accepted! Between going from home to home and negotiating the price, we understand you’re anxious to move in your new home.

But, there are still a few steps you have to take before you start unpacking and making yourself at home. Getting a property inspection is one of them. If this is your first time buying a house, you may not realize just how risky skipping your home inspection is.

Not only does it ensure your home is safe to live in, but it brings awareness to any issues to the untrained eye. In this article, we’ll cover five things you need to get checked during your property inspection. Make sure to keep reading so you know what not to miss!

1. Roof

The first item you’ll want to get checked during a home inspection is the roof. Find out when the last time it was replaced and how old it is. Are there any current issues the previous owners noticed?

2. Foundation

As you walk around the outside and inside of your new home, check for any foundation issues. You’ll want to look at the ceilings and base of the walls in each room. If you notice any cracks or apparent shifts, the home might have foundation issues needing attention.

3. Heating/Cooling System

Make sure to check the heating and cooling system of the home next. Does it heat and cool the home properly?

Make sure to look for furnace repair issues as well. Some homeowners opt to convert their systems while keeping the old ones in place. If this is the case for your home, you’ll want to ask how old those systems are.

If you aren’t sure how old the systems are or if the previous owners replaced them, a property inspector can tell you an estimate of how long they’ll last by checking the serial number. Most condensers last anywhere between 12 and 15 years, though.

4. Electrical System

Checking the electrical system of the home is one of the most important items to check during a home inspection. What type of electrical system does the home have? If it was built between 1880 and 1930, it could run on the knob and tube wiring, also known as K&T.

This type of system runs underground, which could lead to electrical shocks. Your property inspector will probably recommend replacing this type of wiring for an upgraded version.

You’ll also want to check that the home’s outlets are grounded and that every switch works. Lastly, you’ll want to look for a Federal Pacific Electric panel. These are older systems and are known to cause fires from overheating.

5. Oil Tank

Finally, you’ll need to know before doing the property inspection what kind of heating the home runs on. While some homeowners use oil to heat the home, others use gas or electric. Some homes were built to use one form of heating and have been converted since.

No matter how you intend to heat your new home, you need to check the property for an oil tank. Although it may no longer exist on property grounds, some have empty ones sitting somewhere, even underground. You’ll want to check with your local laws to see what the protocol is for these tanks if you don’t plan on using it.

What to Check During a Property Inspection

Getting a property inspection is always worth the small investment to guarantee your new home is working properly and effectively for you and your family. While you may find some unexpected issues, it’s better to become aware of them before you move in rather than after.

For other tips and tricks on building, buying, renting, or leasing homes make sure to check out our website. We also have a renovation category for you to check out once it’s time to update your new home!