A home inspection report will cover most areas of a house. The easiest way to read your home inspection report is to prioritize by reading the areas first that relate to health and safety, or major structural or mechanical systems of the house that may be costly to repair.
Semper Fi Home Inspections provides a thorough and informative report that contains photographs when appropriate. While you will want to review the entire report, here are some areas you may want to view first:
Electrical system:
The home’s electrical system and wiring must be up to code, in excellent condition, and strong enough to support your family’s usage. Each individual family’s usage may vary, so if the buyer is going to be running multiple electronics at the same time while the seller never did, they may have never taxed the system in the same way. These are things you will want to consider along with the condition of the system.
Plumbing:
Major plumbing repairs can be costly and inconvenient. You will want to pay attention to any plumbing issues noted in the report. While the full plumbing system can’t be seen by the naked eye – some of it runs in the walls or under the foundation – make sure you check the report for both interior and exterior plumbing notes.
Roof:
The roof, and any chimney if applicable, can also mean major repairs if they aren’t in top shape. Your home inspector will be looking for signs of water damage or moisture around the eaves of the roof and the chimney. They will also be looking for any signs of water damage inside the house, which could mean roof leaks. If the inspection is done on a rainy day or shortly after, the inspector may also be looking at how water pools in the yard or if there is any seepage from outside.
Potential health risks:
Look for any notation of things such as mold, mildew or contaminants such as radon gas. These are the types of issues that can be dangerous or even deadly if ignored.
Take the time to read your home inspection report thoroughly and ask for help if you don’t fully understand what something means. Remember that even any potential issues noted doesn’t always mean they are a deal-breaker; the report provides information so that you can make an informed choice and understand up front what, if any, repairs may be needed.