Ready to buy a Raleigh NC house? Finding the right home will require a lot of research! In our latest post, we offer a guide to home inspections for home buyers in Raleigh – Durham and the surrounding areas!
When getting ready to buy a house in Raleigh, there are a few things to know first! You should have a good understanding of the home inspection process. Instead of looking at a ton of houses on the MLS, one strategy is to consider buying from a professional. When you buy from a professional team of investors such as Wake County Home Buyers, you can be assured the house will be move-in ready. We also sell fixer-upper properties for you to renovate as you see fit! Call us now to find out what we have available! (919) 473-6885.
On the other hand, if you work with an agent or if you are looking at properties on your own, you will want to understand everything involved with the inspection. We break it down for you below.
Finding An Inspector
When buying a house in Raleigh you will always want to hire your own inspector. There have been many times we have bought homes without an inspection and we have come to regret it later! Do your research and talk to a few inspectors before making your decision. Take some time and read their online reviews.
What Do They Look For?
There are 10 common things property inspectors will look at. These include:
- The structure of the house, any folds in the siding that indicate a section is sinking.
- The crawl space. Is there a moisture barrier in place? Are there signs of mold on the structural members? Note, a separate termite inspection is recommended.
- The roof. Are there any missing shingles, or signs of rot around the soffit or fascia boards?
- The attic. An inspector will do a “head and shoulders” inspection of the attic and look for signs of moisture.
- The windows and doors. Do the windows form a seal, and do they open, close, and lock properly? Do the doors open and close properly. Do all the locks properly latch?
- The interior rooms of the house for evidence of moisture or water intrusion.
- The kitchen including all appliances, ducts, and GFI outlets.
- The bathrooms. Inspect faucets, waste piping, and fluid masters in toilets. Also signs of water leaks at the base of the toilets.
- Plumbing including water pressure, water heater, and the presence of polybutylene piping.
- The electrical systems, including the HVAC systems (one of the most expensive items in a home to repair/replace). Inspect the main breaker panel, outlets, and GFI’s. It is often a good idea to have a separate HVAC company come out and inspect and HVAC unit for all the proper freon, and other items associated with the HVAC system.
Will You Need Speciality Inspections?
Hiring a specialist for items such as septic tanks, radon, termites, pools, foundation/structural, HVAC, lead-based paint (for homes built before 1977), and mold is advisable depending on the situation.
Prepare for Negotiations
If there are many problems found in the home, you shouldn’t buy until the problems are resolved or they have provided a credit for you to fix it. Your lender will likely require some things be fixed ahead of time, things that typically lead to bigger problems. You can’t expect the seller to fix everything, but they should absolutely tend to the bigger things that pop up during the inspection.
How Working With An Investor Can Help
Working with an investor or direct seller can save you time and money. You know what you are getting as well as the true history of the house. The renovations have been done and the house is typically move-in ready. You will have all the records and not have to worry about the unknown.