Real Estate: Buying and Selling

Buying a property can be quite cumbersome as it involves a massive amount of documentation and money. One of the most critical stages in the home buying process are pre-purchase inspections. This is when a building inspector inspects the house to ensure that it is fit to live in. Below are some of the things that the building inspector looks in to.

Property search

The first stage of building inspection is conducting a property search. This verifies that the person selling the property is its rightful owner. The property search should also look into zoning regulations that may prevent you from making certain kinds of renovations.  

Pests

Your building inspector has to inspect the house for pests. Pests such as termites can affect the structural integrity of the house. On the other hand, cockroaches and mice may expose you to some diseases. Ideally, the seller should give you a price cut if there are pests in the house.

Land contamination

If the building is constructed on a former landfill or has a leaking sewer, then the soil is contaminated. As such, the area may have a foul smell. Land contamination also prevents plants from growing and may expose you to certain illnesses.

Disasters

The building inspector will evaluate the impact of natural disasters such as floods and storms on the property. If the area is susceptible to hostile weather conditions, then the building must be reinforced to prevent it from being swept by floods or winds. 

Home systems

The building inspector will evaluate the condition of plumbing, heating and electrical systems. Ask the seller to repair all faulty systems before you purchase the building.

Exterior and interior

The home inspector will check the roof, flooring, walls and paint. Faulty sockets could expose you to fire risks. On the other hand, poor quality paint and cracked walls could mean that you need to conduct renovations. The inspector will also check the condition of the garage, basement and the backyard. 

Home design

An essential aspect of the home inspection process is evaluating the building's design. The foundation, building materials and the state of critical features such as pillars must be evaluated. This will help you if you intend to conduct renovations or extensions after you purchase the property. The building inspector will check for dangerous materials such as asbestos. Ensure that such materials are removed before you move in. 

The main steps of a pre-purchase inspection are property search, pest inspection, land contamination, susceptibility to natural disasters, home systems, home design and interior and exterior inspection.