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30Mar

5 Must-Know Home Inspection Tips for Buyers In San Antonio, Tx

Congratulations! Soon, you’re going to be a homeowner! After you’re done with all the celebrations, it's the time to move to ‘Home Inspection’ which happens to be a crucial step in the entire process.

From evaluating the home from a structural perspective to ensuring you are buying a hazard-free property, home inspection in San Antonio, TX can go a long way.

How To Prepare For A Home Inspection?

Before the inspectors arrive, prepare yourself for the home inspection by making a list of the areas you want thoroughly scrutinized.

Have a look at few:

  • Foundation and roof
  • Heating and air systems
  • Plumbing fixtures, faucets, and water heater
  • Appliances
  • Doors and windows
  • Porches and balconies
  • Garage and basement
  • Stairs, steps and railings
  • Rain gutters and downspouts
  • Exterior stucco or paint

An inspection would take at least a few 2 to 3 hours. The home inspection report would include descriptions in detail and pictures of defects if any.

Home Inspection Checklist

#1 Home Inspectors Must Be Professionally Licensed

Every county has its own home inspection standards. However, a home inspection must be performed by a licensed and or certified professional. In Texas, the professional licensed inspector is the highest designation under TREC, the Texas Real Estate Commission.

 

They should be qualified on certifications such as ASHI, NACHI and must be up to date on all training and educational credentials. Also, they need to have a full insurance policy and must possess rich experience in the area you are buying in.

#2 What & What Not Home Inspection Covers

>As every property is different, the particulars verified during the home inspection process may vary a little.

However, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) recommends that well-qualified inspectors will analyze the structural components like interior plumbing systems, windows, doors, floors, walls, and ceilings.

Of course, not everything is going to be covered in every home inspection. You need to know that there are limits to what an inspector will check. Here are some areas that don’t make the cut for the home inspectors and may require another expert:

  • Interior chimney repairs
  • Inside the walls
  • Septic tanks
  • Sheds, walls or additional structure systems separated from the house

#3 Read Home Inspection Report

Once the property inspection is over, the inspectors would combine all the findings in one single detailed report. The report will have a section for each area of the house and a note about anything that is damaged and needs repairs.

Generally, you will see the following:

  • Material defects may pose a safety hazard or have a noteworthy impact on the home’s value
  • Minor issues
  • Any appliance or system in a non-functional state
  • Minor structural defects that do not impact safety or functionality

#4  Get Additional Inspection

Use the report to determine what other inspections might be required. This may include the following:

  • Pest infections
  • Asbestos infections
  • Mold inspections
  • Drainage inspections
  • Structural inspections
  • Geological inspections
  • Chimney inspections
  • Lead inspections

#5 Make Your Decision

For as long as you stay in the contingency period, you need to explore these options:

  • Renegotiate the price with the seller or ask for credits towards your closing costs to cover the damages
  • Ask the seller to make the required repairs
  • Scrap your purchase contract and pull out the deal
Takeaways

Your home is certainly one of the most valuable purchases of a lifetime. A well-executed home inspection makes sure you get the best value out of the investment! 

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