Inspect all furnace and AC systems for age, condition, and proper function. • Laundry room: ventilation and dryer systems, search for 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. Condition and quality. • Fire safety: smoke detectors in place and operating, quality and condition of fireplaces and stoves. • Pest inspection: Inspect for presence of wood-boring and other insects, molds, and fungi. If you live in certain specific high-risk areas, it is wise to order an additional service, such as earthquake, tornado, or flood inspection. The specialist will help you estimate how resistant the property is to natural disaster. Your inspector may recommend that you ask for a second, more specialized opinion, such as a structural engineer in case weakness is suspected in load-bearing walls. Do not procrastinate and stall on getting this done. There have been situations where the closing meeting had to be postponed because of failure to properly deal with issues discovered during inspection. A good expert is hard to find, but choosing the right inspector is the key to a thorough and comprehensive report. You may search online, paying close attention to reviews. 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 you are working with — your buyer’s agent, not the seller’s agent.
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