5. You have an accepted offer on the home you wish to purchase! Now you will choose a home inspector and the kinds of inspections you wish to have done. A home inspection serves two purposes. First you will find out if there are any serious health and safety issues with the property and you will find out about all of the little things which will probably require some work in the future. You can choose to have several different types of inspections and pay by the inspection, such as a furnace inspection or a roof inspection. Or you may choose to have a “home inspection” for one price usually ranging from around $200 to $400.

A “home inspection” typically includes inspection of the following: structure and foundation, electrical systems, plumbing systems, roofs, attics, basements, crawl spaces, gutters and drainage, walls, floors, ceilings, porches, decks, property site, furnaces, air conditioning, plumbing fixtures in kitchens and baths, water heaters, lights and receptacles, windows, doors, built-in appliances, garage, mold and termites. Most buyers also have a radon test which runs about $75 to $100 unless it is included in the “home inspection”.

6. You have the home inspection done. Usually the inspector goes to the property and does his inspections, this takes several hours. You will meet the inspector at the home when he is finished with his inspections. The inspector will walk through the property with you and point our things that he has found. The inspector will then create a written report and send you and your Realtor copies. After everyone has read the report you will get together with your Realtor and discuss the results. Generally you will want to have the seller fix major health and safety issues, such as a bad furnace or a leaking roof, prior to closing. Your Realtor will draft an addendum that lists the problems that were found and what you would like to have done about them. This addendum is given to the seller and hopefully they sign it and agree to fix what you want fixed. Sometimes there is some negotiation back and forth before everyone is in agreement.