The basics of important home inspections

Homes are somewhat like their buyers — all are different in their own ways and tend to place themselves in a variety of styles, room sizes, locations, and a lot more.

You are going to want your home to be the best buy you can get and it makes a lot of sense to have someone in the business of inspecting homes to verify your selection.

And, that would be the folks who have studied hard to find any faults in the construction of your home to be.

These are the professionals who would be akin to surgeons in a hospital. They know, in short order, the condition of your home to be.

Here’s what these inspectors do. And, it is much like you might find in surgery. They look at the outside, the inside, the foundation, construction, site, etc. It is like a medical checkup for a home. You will receive the status of you home as it stands.

•Some places that may be a problem on the home are easy to spot, like siding that is dented or buckling. Walk around the home and check it out. Look for cracks in the foundation or water seepage in visible pipes.

•Exterior bricks — are they sound? Is the mortar sound?

•In this area where the temperature can be 90 degrees in the summer and maybe below zero in some of our winters, be sure to check out the condition of insulation.

•Doors and windows are in the open and are easy to check.

•That roof that is over your head needs to be checked because roofs are outside in all weather and have to repel moisture to keep the inside of the home from damage. Be sure to check the flashing.

•Look for loose pieces of drywall that may be pealing away.

•On the electrical side, check the condition of fuse boxes, circuit breakers and outlets in each room.

•Look for poor water pressure and rust spots that indicate leaks.

•Also be on the lookout for the age and size of the water heater servicing the home.

•Furnace and air conditioning means checking for age, and energy rating. The higher the utilization efficiency rating the lower your fuel costs will be.

•The garage exterior should be in good repair. There may be floor cracks. Check the door for its working condition.

•In the basement, look for water damage and a musty smell.

•The attic must have adequate ventilation. Also check for leaks in the attic roof.

•Look for cracks, heaving pavement, stain, etc. in the driveway and sidewalks.

That’s most of what potential owners will be familiar with if they were checking the home out with a certified home inspector. They may see more than we do when they are looking for your purchase. Therefore, it is wise to have a checkup for your home before you buy.