A home inspection will reveal issues not visible to the naked eye. These include heating and cooling systems, the roof, and the structural integrity of a home.
Inspection costs will depend on the size of your property and its location, but expect to spend at least $250. If your prospective home is larger and situated in a prime neighborhood, it may cost $400 or more for a home inspection in New Jersey.
Don’t be tempted to DIY this crucial step. Leave the job to professionals. You can wait for the results before you proceed with the sale, but you can also be on hand when the inspector does their assessment.
What Does a Home Inspection Cover?
A good home inspector will evaluate the property from the ground up, checking the physical integrity of everything from the foundation to the roof. It’s important to make sure that the house you’re buying is up to code.
Your home inspector will be able to tell you whether the home’s been damaged by water, insects, or fire. They will also check to see if there are any other fire and safety issues that you should be aware of before you buy the home. All of this information should be written in a report, which you’ll be able to review before you finalize your purchase.
Many real estate contracts now have a contingency stating that if a home inspection unearths important defects, such as a cracked foundation, poorly installed roof, or faulty wiring, the buyer may rescind their purchase offer without incurring a penalty, as long as they do it within a specific time period.
What are Specialized Home Inspections?
Should a standard home inspection uncover issues that need a closer look, a general inspector can recommend specialist counterparts. For example, signs of drainage problems in the basement may need the expertise of a geological inspector. The presence of mold and other toxins, especially, calls for a specialized mold inspector.
When Should You Schedule a Home Inspection?
Schedule a home inspection as soon as you can, or once the seller has agreed to your offer. Typically, it takes one to two months to close on a property, and you’ll need anywhere from a week to a couple of weeks in which to schedule a home inspection. It will give you ample time to sit with the seller and resolve issues should the inspection report turn out less than stellar.
If the home is newly built, there are three important home inspection stages: assessing the foundation prior to the pouring of the concrete, looking at the building and mechanics before drywall is put into place, and finally, a full walkthrough once the house has been built.
Need a reputable home inspector in New Jersey? Local real estate expert Colleen Meyler can connect you to a good home inspector and provide other professional guidance you need to buy your house. With over 30 years of experience in the New Jersey real estate market, Colleen is the local expert you can rely on for all your home selling needs.Contact her today at 732.995.5102 or ColleenMeyler(at)gmail(dotted)com .