A savvy investor will study a company’s consolidated financial statement. He might go as far as to ask a financial analyst to break the numbers down and compute the liquidity and profitability ratios. Such diligence is necessary when investing in real estate. To purchase a property, you must carry out a house inspection.
Kindly remember that you are parting from your money, so you must have the property inspected. You should never rely on the seller’s claim as to the condition of the property. He may be interested in concealing certain information if the property needs repairs.
An independent third party will tell you if the house is structurally sound and whether it has enough electrical, plumbing and heating capacity. When you engage in house inspection, the inspector might uncover the following:
Failing Exterior Siding
On the outside, the house might have rotted, curled, or blistered siding. Exterior paint might also be peeling. Although this appears to be a minor concern, it may be the symptom of something more sinister. It could be indicative of structural problems. If you cannot ascertain the cause of the exterior issues, you should ask the seller to replace the siding and paint the house.
If the exterior walls have cracks, the inspector may recommend that you install termite protection. Termites can swallow wood until it is soft as butter. Prevent them from doing so by using a termite barrier
Chronic Wet Crawl Space
If the property has a crawl space, it should be dry. Any moisture that gathers should evaporate by the following day. You should call for a professional house inspection to ensure this is the case. If the crawlspace is wet, the inspector may recommend that you drain water from the crawlspace and install a vapor barrier.
You should also have a sump pump if you have a crawl space. The inspector will look at its placement. He will also investigate if the pump is working. You can contact the owner about fixing it if it is not.
Damaged Septic System
A damaged septic system could be a potential health hazard. If the inspector detects a broken septic system, he will suggest you contact the seller to replace it.
It would be foolhardy for you to check the septic system yourself before you purchase the house. The first reason this is the case is that you would not know what to look for. The second reason is that you will not have the necessary equipment to evaluate it. The septic system inspection is strictly for a professional.
The inspector will look at the septic tank and drain field. He will also check out the soil around the house for signs that it has been disturbed. The inspector will then look at the piping and measure the septic tank’s discharge.
A septic explosion could kill you and your family. The inspector will check if the septic tank and the drain field have been maintained. He will check if the tank has been cleaned and if the drain field has been kept in good repair.
Conclusion
Call for a professional house inspection to avoid making a costly investment mistake. A seller can only tell you that the property is structurally sound. He can only tell you it is free of termites and other pests. He can only certify that the septic system is in good repair.
Before you part with your money, you can ask AEI Inspections to carry out a thorough house inspection. With over thirty years in the industry, we can quickly identify problems with the property, so you can rely on our expertise to give an honest assessment. So, book an appointment now!
