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Buying a home? Don’t forget a home inspection

Written by

Pamela Turner

 

You found a house that fits most, or maybe even all, of your requirements. Great, now it’s time to hire a home inspector to ensure the house is structurally sound and safe to live in.  Although not always required, a home inspection is highly recommended. The cost of a home inspection will vary, but is definitely worth the investment. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), for an average home you should expect to pay between $350 and $600 for a home inspection. HUD provides a helpful checklist of questions to ask before hiring a home inspector.

The home inspector’s report includes an inspection of heating and cooling systems; plumbing; electrical system; insulation; roof; and the general condition of the structure – both interior and exterior.  If the home’s water supply is from a well, then you should have the water tested. For more information about well water visit the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories.

You are not required to be present when the home is being inspected but it is a good idea to be there so you can ask questions and see what the inspection entails. The report will provide information about the current condition of the property and future maintenance concerns. You can use this information to negotiate the details of the contract with the seller. You may ask the seller to fix the problems, renegotiate the price, or contribute more to your closing costs.

It’s advisable to have the house tested for radon. Radon is an invisible gas that may be found at high levels inside a house. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Without testing, there is no way to know the radon level in the house. A radon test should be done by a certified radon measurement specialist. For a list of qualified professionals visit radon.uga.edu. Finding high levels of radon in a home should not be a deterrent to purchasing the home. You can negotiate with the seller to install a radon mitigation system.

A home inspection is a small price to pay for peace of mind in your new home. For more information about buying a home visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/buy-rent.

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Pamela Turner

5 responses to “Buying a home? Don’t forget a home inspection”

  1. Joseph Avatar
    Joseph

    Thanks for providing such informative content, Keep sharing such helpful ideas with us.

    Reply
  2. Rachel Frampton Avatar
    Rachel Frampton

    My sister would like to have her house inspected for molds because this will be able to avoid further health problems. Thank you for sharing here as well the importance of having radon mitigation. Aside from this, you made a pretty good point that it will be smarter to negotiate with the price too.

    Reply
  3. Michael Carter Avatar
    Michael Carter

    This article provides invaluable insights into the home inspection process. Highlighting aspects like radon testing and water quality checks emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluations before finalizing a home purchase.​

    Reply
  4. Eligiblee Avatar
    Eligiblee

    This is a really helpful overview of the home inspection process! I’m getting ready to put in an offer on a place, and the radon point is definitely something I hadn’t considered enough. Thanks for including the UGA resource; I’ll check that out.

    Do home inspectors typically give you a sense of the *urgency* of different repairs needed? Like, is this a “fix it now” problem or something that can wait a year or two? Also, I’m curious, are there any other less common, but important, tests (like for lead paint or asbestos) that buyers should consider depending on the age or location of the property? Would love to see you delve deeper into those niche testing scenarios in a future post!

    Reply
    1. Pamela Turner Avatar
      Pamela Turner

      I am pleased to hear that the information is helpful. To check for radon when you are buying a home you can find someone who is certified for measurement at https://radon.uga.edu/testing-and-mitigation/find-a-radon-mitigator/. This list is for Georgia, but the same organizations certify professionals in other states. In general a home inspection report will provide the general condition of things like the roof and heating system. That will be based on the age and what they see. If there are questions about the condition of the heating & cooling system then you may want it inspected by an HVAC specialist/company. Lead paint is a concern for houses built before 1978. If you are buying a home with water from a private well, you will most likely (and should) have the water tested. UGA extension offices conduct well water testing. Asbestos was used for things like insulation, flooring and roofing until the 1980s. It can be found in popcorn ceilings until 1990. Generally, if it isn’t damaged and is left undisturbed it doesn’t present a health risk. If you want the house inspected for asbestos it will most likely cost extra. When you have a home inspection, you should be there and go through the house with the inspector.

      Reply

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