Keep This in Mind When Buying a Home
By: Jessica Holman
Tags: How To, Money Management, Home Buying, Home, Buying A Home

There we were, my husband and I, sippin’ cocktails and toasting each other on our new home when my nine-year-old came running in from the kitchen.

“Mama water is coming from the roof!”

It wasn’t raining outside.

We figured someone, or some kid, had spilled water in the kitchen and didn’t want to fess up to the mess.

Low and behold water was steadily dripping from the kitchen ceiling all over the floor. So, I went to the basement to get a bucket only to find another treasure waiting below.

A sewage leak, all over the basement floor.

Eventually, the leak in the kitchen caused the ceiling to collapse.

The leak came from the upstairs bathroom directly above the kitchen

We had just closed on the house three days prior.

Almost $8000 later and the leak was fixed, the water restoration process had begun and the basement was sterilized. And we hadn’t even lived in the house a week yet.

Oh, and Christmas was ten days away and since we had just moved, we hadn’t bought a lot of gifts yet for the kids. I don’t think I have ever been so stressed out or angry in my life. The whole situation still grinds my gears but I’m trying to deal with it like a grown-up. I’m not writing this for sympathy, but to hopefully educate others from my mistakes.

While complaining about the situation to my mother I had a realization. She asked if I had the house inspected before closing.

“Yes of course I did but the inspector didn’t crawl into the walls and through the pipes.”

Then it hit me.

Was there a separate inspection for that? Was I supposed to get the plumbing inspected too? Uh-oh. A quick google search answered that question with a big fat YES. Well, damn…How was I supposed to know?

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

It probably seems like a no-brainer to most people but I didn’t even consider the plumbing. In fact, during the inspection, the guy checked the visible plumbing under sinks and around the toilet. I figured that was good enough.

Buying a house can be a stressful and confusing process, especially your first time. It’s also probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy, but you know almost nothing about it.

You end up Googling almost every phrase used by your realtor and the lawyers and still don’t understand half the jargon they use. Not to mention the paperwork. So much paperwork and contracts, agreements, and repeated credit checks. You just want it to go away and stop.

Technically, I am an adult and therefore responsible for my own actions as well as inactions. Meaning it was my job to know everything or at least try to learn everything I could about buying a home, covering all the bases and checking all the blocks.

Here is what I have learned after the fact.

Why You Need a Home Inspection

The home inspection gives the buyer a better understanding of the condition of the home they might be buying. You may think the house looks great but a professional can tell you what is hidden, sometimes in plain sight. They also explain how the house works and what you need to do as far as maintaining the home.

There Are Several Different Types of Home Inspections

Most people get a home inspection before buying a house but those are usually general inspections. They look for flaws or issues and make recommendations based on their findings. They also explain things about the house if needed. For example, I’ve lived in the southern US my whole life and recently moved up north. I’ve never seen a basement or a furnace in my life and the home inspector had to tell me how all that worked.

Here is a list of all the different specialized home inspections I found. Some of these may be covered under a general inspection but you may need a specialist to further investigate.

Radon Inspection

This is a colorless and odorless gas that may cause lung cancer. I never heard of it until I bought a home but had it done anyway. It took 48 hours and wasn’t that expensive. Some testing can take longer, depends on your time frame and how much of a concern it is to you.

Mold Inspection

Sometimes you can visibly see mold and know it’s there, other times it is hidden. If you get a certified mold specialist they can find hidden mold by doing air tests and using a meter to check your walls for dampness. Mold can be a concealed danger that can cause serious health problems.

Lead-Based Paint Inspection

You can have an inspector come out and visually check the paint in the home as well as swipe samples to have it tested for lead. Most modern homes should be lead-free but older homes may need this inspection. Lead can be dangerous especially to children.

Landscaping and Soil Analysis Inspection

These inspections are especially good for letting you know about erosion and irrigation issues. They can even test the soil for quality or contamination. If you plan on doing some outdoor renovations or extensive landscaping, you might want to have a specialist come and evaluate your property.

Chimney Inspection

If there is a chimney you will need to get it inspected before you actually use it. The inspection will make sure the structure of the chimney is in good condition and that there is good ventilation. Also, to clear out any unwanted guests possibly residing in the chimney.

Pool and Spa Inspection

If the home has a pool you may want to look into finding a professional inspector to evaluate its condition. They will check for safety features, the pool structure, and the shape of the pumps, heat, and filters. Depending on where you live, there can be several laws about pools and what you will be legally responsible for if an accident occurs. A pool inspector will make sure you are covered legally.

Roof Inspection

A roof inspector will verify the sturdiness and condition of the roof. They check for mold, damages, and leaks. This one is important because they can tell you the roof’s life expectancy and how to maintain it.

Pest Inspection

Pest inspections will evaluate the house for previous damages or infestations as well as point out potential problems. They check for termites, mice, rats, and other insects that can cause damage to the home.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Inspection

Depending on the home inspector you use, these can be included in the general inspection. They can tell you if the system was managed properly by the previous owners and what if anything needs to be fixed or replaced. You don’t want a faulty heating or AC system in your new home.

Electrical Inspection

During this inspection, they should check the electrical panels as well as any underground wires that could be damaged. They will inspect for damaged wires and possible fire risks.

Foundation or Structural Inspection

These are usually engineers who look for cracks, slopes, or any irregularities regarding the house foundations. What may look like a minor imperfection to you, could potentially be a serious problem later on down the road for your home. It’s best to have an expert determine if the foundation is adequate.

Asbestos Inspection

Asbestos can cause serious health issues if it is released into the air and may pose a threat in older homes. The only way to test for it is with a microscope. If your general inspector suspects asbestos you will need to hire a professional to do the actual test.

Plumbing and Sewage Inspection

Last at certainly not least, I definitely recommend you get professional plumbing and sewage inspection. Not only will they visually inspect the plumbing in the house they can also run a camera through the mainline to check for possible blockages. They will also make sure all the pipes are in good working condition and point out possible issues with the plumbing. Like a leak. Pay a couple hundred bucks for this inspection and you can save thousands of dollars. Trust me on this one.

Consider These Inspections

Now, these don’t come cheap especially if you got every single one but they may also save you money in the long run. As for me, I will definitely hire a professional plumber to do an inspection along with the general inspection, the next time I buy a home. You don’t have to get a specialist for every category but consider the home you are buying and your situation. Do your research and determine which inspection needs a more thorough approach and not just a general look.

Educate Yourself

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

I may legally be an adult but half the time I feel as lost and confused as a sixteen-year-old. Most of the important life stuff has been learned through trial and error, like everyone else.

It’s been said before but they really need to teach us this stuff in school. Paying taxes, buying a home or car, personal finance, insurance, etc. are all areas I would have benefited from a class or two on.

That is why we need to do it ourselves. These days you can learn anything for free thanks to the web. I could have done more to educate myself on the home buying process and I am paying for it now. You live and you learn. Still, the information is out there. It literally took me less than ten seconds to find all the information I needed on home inspections to write this.

Take Away

The process of buying a home can be overwhelming. It can be so much that you may try to rush it or skips steps just to get it over it. This will probably be the biggest financial decision of your life so take your time. Make sure you understand each part of the process. Looking back I could have done a lot more and I have a ton of excuses why I didn’t but those excuses don’t help me now.

If you are considering or in the process of buying a home, please consult with professionals to get you the best home for you.

Disclaimer: This story was based on my personal experience. Everyone’s home buying situation is different and there are a lot of variables to consider when buying a home. I am not a professional realtor or housing inspector but I wanted to share my experience to prevent others from going through the same issue.