deal, then these will need to be inspected as well, to ensure they are in good working order, and that they are correctly installed. As well, their general condition will be checked. • Fire safety: Fire safety is of utmost importance, and smoke detectors will need to be in place and operational, and thoroughly inspected for condition; stoves and fireplaces must also be checked. • Pest and mold: Inspections for the presence of wood- boring and other insects, as well as molds and fungi, will also be necessary components of the home inspection process. Something else to consider is where you live — or, more specifically, where you’ll be moving if the deal on the home goes through. For example, if you live in certain high-risk areas, such as areas that are prone to natural disasters, most notably earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, then it’s a good idea to order additional services. The proper specialist(s) will help you to estimate the resistance of the property during such natural disasters. During any inspection, the inspector might recommend that you ask for a second, more specialized, opinion if major issues are found. For instance, contact a structural engineer in case weakness is suspected in load-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.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
Don’t assume that good and qualified inspectors are readily available at your fingertips. In fact, often, quite the opposite is true. A good expert can be hard to find. But don’t just hire the first one you find with a quick search online, or go with the 120
Powered by FlippingBook