Absolutely! For most Home Buyers, the purchase of a home in Murfreesboro or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, represents the largest investment cost that they will incur in their lifetime. Unless a Buyer is knowledgeable and experienced themselves as a builder, maintenance person or a similar profession, a Professional Home Inspection is strongly recommended. Furthermore, Buyers should preserve their right to terminate or renegotiate the terms of a Purchase and Sale Agreement in the event an Inspection uncovers costly repair and/or maintenance issues.
Home Inspection costs vary in Middle Tennessee and typically are based upon the size of property to be inspected. “Non standard” things like pool or spa, radon, synthetic stucco or lead based paint inspections will cost more. For a 1500-2000 square foot house, Buyers in Middle Tennessee might expect to pay $275-$400 at the time of Inspection.
Even before a professional inspection is engaged, a Buyer and their Broker should be on the “look out” for “symptoms” like:
- Siding: Look for dents or buckling
- Foundations: Look for water intrusion, cracks
- Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
- Insulation: Look for condition of and anticipate or review records of ratings for the climate
- Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits; check weatherstripping; ensure that windows have not been painted shut or if the seal has been broken
- Roof: Look for signs of age by noting buckling or missing shingles, condition of flashing, evidence of pooling water, loose gutters and/or downspouts
- Ceilings, Walls and Molding: Look for drywall that is pulling away, water stains on ceilings, loose pieces of molding
- Porch and Decks: Look for loose or missing railings, steps or wood rot
- Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, does the house have 200 amp services, the number of outlets in each room and review documents certifying necessary permits were obtained when finishing off bonus rooms or converting garages into living spaces.
- Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion which may indicate leaking
- Water Heater: Look for age, energy rating, speed of recovery and capacity. Is it adequate for the size of the house?
- Heat and Air Condition System: Look for age and energy efficiency rating and whether the system is sized correctly and holds temperatures in different zones.
- Garage: Look for function of safety mechanism of door, condition of floor, cracks, stains
- Basement or Crawl Space: Look for standing water, musty smells
- Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
- Septic Tanks (if applicable): Look for permits indicating what the property is approved for the advertized number if bedrooms. Is there evidence of surface effluent near field lines?
- Driveways and Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement
- Interior Odors: Heavy cat urine smells may indicate meth lab production. Musty smells may indicate mold issues. Rotten egg smells may indicate sulfur water.
If you, as a Buyer, suspect any problems with any of the above be sure to ask your Inspector to pay special attention on those areas. You can expect the typical inspector to check all of the above during a standard Home Inspection. Let me know if you need recommendations on qualified Home Inspectors in Middle Tennessee.
We’ve all seen or heard about laws that cause us to shake our heads in disbelief. Some that I find amazing are:
Avg. Sales Price: 172,000
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