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. 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. There have been situations in which the closing meeting had to be postponed because of failure to properly deal with discovered inspection issues in time. 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. An excellent source of recommendations is your real estate agent who has a network of experts that she has experience working with. See suggested vendors in the "Resources" portion of this book. Attend the inspection along with the inspector. This is one of your first opportunities to fully take a tour around the house, with an expert to see and learn its features and condition up close. Don't be afraid to ask the inspector questions - within reason. Some inspectors will answer as they go, others would prefer you hold all questions to the end until they have reviewed the property. All house inspection conditions apply to new construction, as well. Newly built houses can also have issues.
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