With the market the way it is, some home buyers are choosing to wave a home inspection. While this may work out in some cases, it can be a huge mistake that will affect the buyer for years to come. There are things within a home that only a professional home inspector can catch. A house is a huge investment so making sure you are well-informed is paramount. As the trusted home inspector for Anoka and the surrounding areas, we would like to outline some of the major issues a home inspection can catch.
Areas of a property inspection can include foundation, roof, electrical work, HVAC and heating, windows, and plumbing. The property inspector will put together a report of their findings and make recommendations for further action if necessary. One of the biggest fears for buyers is that a major issue is found during the inspection. For example; structural cracks in the foundation elevated levels of radon or rotted windows. But, it is better to know now than to find out later. That is why a home inspector does everything he or she can to give you a clear picture of the property’s current condition.
One of the most important points of a home inspection and one that is essential to the health of your family is radon testing. This is where the home inspector places a machine in the lowest level of the home to test for elevated levels of dangerous radon. If a radon test reveals high levels of radon, the buyer will often ask the seller to install a radon mitigation system. While these systems are highly capable of lowering radon levels, they come at a price (usually about $1,500). Therefore, if you don’t have the structure tested for radon before buying, and a later test reveals high levels of radon in the home, the cost of installing a radon mitigation system might become your responsibility. And radon is serious business. This gas is incredibly harmful. A radon level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher is the equivalent of your family smoking more than 8 cigarettes a day! In fact, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States and is linked to 21,000 deaths each year.
These are just some of the things your home inspector can catch. A home inspection can benefit not only buyers, but current homeowners as well. By educating yourself, you can be prepared for any necessary repairs. From the basement to the roof and everything in between, a detail-oriented home inspector will take a close and careful look at the home. From there, you will be able to make an educated and informed decision about the house and property.
To learn more about hiring a licensed home inspector for your Anoka area home, call AmeriSpec today at 952-854-5110. Or, Contact Us online for more information or to schedule a radon test!
