When you are purchasing a home, there are a variety of tests and assessments that you can conduct on the property to protect yourself from “surprises” later on. The most common of which is a home inspection. Most buyers choose to get a home inspection before purchasing a house or condominium, and in some cases, financing is contingent on the inspector’s report. Home inspections include different items depending on the property or the state in which you are purchasing your home, but it will generally involve a review of the home’s structural elements, roof and attic, plumbing, systems and components, electrical, appliances, garage (if applicable), and some exterior elements such as the exterior paint, driveway, fences, and drainage.
I have many borrowers ask me about home inspections and why they are necessary, especially if the person is purchasing a condominium or a newly constructed home. Even in these cases, it is important to make sure that you have all the information you can before purchasing your home. Your real estate agent can help you find an inspector who is best suited for the property you are considering, but your best bet will always be to find an inspector who has certification by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
In addition to inspections, there are other tests that you may want to have completed. A survey is an important one. A survey uses measurements and town records to map exactly where your yard or land begins and ends. Especially in the rural parts of the state, there can be confusion about where a property line begins and ends, so it is often a good idea to have this done, and again, some financing programs will require it.
Your real estate agent will be able to help you decide what other types of tests you need for your home. Examples include radon (which is advisable if the home is built in an area where there is lot of ledge), water (advisable if you have a well), lead (in an older home), septic system, mold, or asbestos (again, in an older home).
Again, your real estate agent will be able to help you decide whether you need certain tests completed and/or whether you should make the purchase of the home contingent on the results, but below are a few links that my help you.
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