Unit 2 : Lesson 2: How to find the right home

Looking further

Getting a home inspected

When you find a house that seems “perfect,” beware! It may have hidden problems. Never buy a house before it has been carefully inspected. Otherwise, what seems like your “dream house” could make you unhappy later.

Doing your own inspection first

You can do the first level of inspection yourself. Pay attention to ceilings, walls, and floors. Cracks may indicate that there are structural problems. Make a list of questions to ask the real estate agent and owner about the structural soundness of the house. For example: When was the roof last replaced? What material was used? Is the electrical system sound? Does the plumbing system include any old lead pipes? (They may be unsafe.) By law, both the seller and the real estate agent must tell you about any problems they know about in the house.

Finding a home inspector

Most people also have a home inspection done by a qualified home inspector. The inspection usually takes place after you have made an offer and signed the contract on your house. Most sales contracts, however, contain a contingency that states that the final contract agreement can change if major problems are uncovered during the home inspection.

You are responsible for finding and paying the home inspector. Although you can usually expect to pay from $200 to $300 for the service, many people find it is well worth the money to make sure the house is sound before the final purchase.

One of the best ways to find a qualified inspector is through recommendations from people you know. You can also look in the Yellow Pages under “Building Inspection Service.” You should ask the service for the names and phone numbers of three recent clients. Call these references to check on the inspector’s quality of work. You can also call the American Society of Home Inspectors at 1-800-743-2744 to get the names of inspectors in your area. Inspectors who belong to this organization must follow careful standards to become a member.

What the inspection should include

Every inspection should include an evaluation of at least the following:

• foundations;
• doors and windows;
• roof and siding;
• plumbing and electrical systems;
• heating and air-conditioning systems;
• ceilings, walls, and floors;
• insulation;
• ventilation;
• septic tanks, wells, or sewer lines; and
• common areas (e.g., in condominiums).

Using the inspection report

The inspection report is not meant to tell whether you should buy the house or how much you should pay for it. If problems are found, it should give you some idea how much it will cost to repair them. If serious problems are found, you have the right to cancel the purchase agreement and get a refund on your deposit. You can also ask the seller to reduce the purchase price to cover the cost of repairs. Or you may be able to negotiate with the seller to make the needed repairs.

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