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\n <\/div>\n \n Prepare for a home inspection with a top-rated agent<\/h3>\n
HomeLight has analyzed over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will help you be ready for your home inspection.<\/p>\n
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Spend now to save later<\/h2>\n
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 13% of buyers bought new homes, and 45% of them did so to avoid dealing with renovations and problems<\/a> with plumbing or electricity. If you are one of the 87% of buyers looking at previously owned homes, you\u2019ll also want one that is in good condition.<\/p>\n However, a home inspector is a generalist, and sometimes they\u2019ll say things like, \u201cI\u2019d recommend calling in a specialist to check out this sign of wood rot\u201d or \u201cLet\u2019s get a structural engineer in here; I\u2019m a little concerned about that foundation crack.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, there will be issues common to homes in your area (such as radon or pest problems) that you should check before you buy that a general inspector won\u2019t cover.<\/p>\n Considering 82% of buyers expressed regret<\/a> about their home purchase due to unexpected maintenance or hidden costs, now\u2019s not the time to hem and haw over a couple hundred bucks that an extra inspection will cost.<\/p>\n An inspection allows you to escape a contract if there are serious structural, mechanical, or safety defects discovered about the house. You can also negotiate with the seller about fixing serious deficiencies or reduce your offer<\/a> to cover you handling the repairs yourself.<\/p>\n Robert Greenblatt<\/a>, a real estate investor turned agent with 18 years of experience, is a top seller in Cherry Hill, New Jersey<\/a>. He gives the example of testing for high radon levels, which can increase the risk of lung cancer to those exposed:<\/p>\n Testing for radon costs about $150 in his area. If testing detects elevated levels, the buyer can ask the seller to foot the bill for mitigation<\/a>, which averages about $1,000 nationwide<\/a> and in Greenblatt\u2019s area costs as high as $2,000. \u201cTo me, that\u2019s an extra $150 well spent,\u201d Greenblatt says.<\/p>\n No kidding!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s dive into 15 specialized types of home inspections that help you look under the hood of the house, so to speak, before a property and all of its flaws are yours alone to deal with.<\/p>\n Most likely, a home won\u2019t need every inspection on this list. Radon, for instance, is typical in areas with basements, which aren\u2019t common in regions with a lot of swampland. A home\u2019s age also plays a huge role. But it\u2019s best to know all of your options so you don\u2019t leave any stone unturned.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a general overview of the different types of home inspections that cover your home from top to bottom.<\/p>\n A chimney inspection assesses whether the chimney and fireplace are venting properly, if the mortar is cracked or deteriorating, and if there\u2019s a heavy buildup of creosote (a byproduct of burning wood), which can combust. This prevents chimney fires and smoke or odors from seeping inside when you go to light the fireplace on a chilly day.<\/p>\n Costs:<\/strong> Who to hire:<\/strong> When to get it:<\/strong> Unless the sellers of the home have paperwork to show they\u2019ve inspected the chimney recently, go ahead and get this inspection before closing if time allows.<\/p>\n Preventive roof maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars on average<\/a> each year throughout a roof\u2019s lifespan. A roofing contractor can examine a roof and ceilings for signs of leaks or damage, flag trouble spots such as mold growth that might mean rotting wood underneath, and even use a handheld infrared scanner or drone inspection to look for spots where heat is escaping.<\/p>\n Costs:<\/strong>Beyond the general home inspection<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0 Chimney inspection<\/h3>\n
\n$450<\/a> on average nationwide<\/p>\n
\nA CSIA (Certified Chimney Sweep)<\/a> technician<\/p>\n
\nYou\u2019ll need to inspect the chimney before you use the fireplace anyway. If a house has a chimney, inspect it so that you don\u2019t have to worry about unwanted guests (birds or bats) nestled up there, the risk of starting a fire, or extremely dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.<\/p>\n2. Roof inspection<\/h3>\n
\n$75 to $917<\/a> on average nationwide<\/p>\n