• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Chimneys, vents, house insulation, and ducting. All furnace and AC systems for age, condition, and proper functioning. • Laundry room: Ventilation and dryer systems; leaks and potential fire hazards. • Bathrooms: Bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet inspection. Proper ventilation and plumbing. • Kitchen appliances (if part of purchase): Properly working devices and correct installation. • Fire safety: Smoke detectors in place and operating, fireplaces, and stoves. • Pest inspection. Presence of wood-boring and other insects, molds, and fungi. If you live in certain high-risk areas, it’s wise to order an additional service — for example, earthquake, tornado, or flood inspection. The specialist will help you to estimate the resistance of the property during natural disasters. Your inspector may recommend you ask for a specialized opinion, such as a structural engineer in case weakness is suspected in bearing walls. Don’t procrastinate and wait to get this done. Your Option Period is only a finite timeline, and if you move past this time, you are bound by the contract and potentially lose your Earnest Money if you terminate the contract or more. A good expert is hard to find. Choosing the right inspector is the key to a thorough and comprehensive report. You may search online, paying attention to reviews of that inspector. Many real estate websites have a list of professionals with ratings and reviews. Ask your friends and family for a recommendation. An excellent source of recommendations is the real estate agent with 60
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