Buying a home is an exhilarating feeling. It can be one of life's biggest rewards. It has the potential to serve not only as your home for many years, but as the basis of your financial portfolio. as such you should never jump into a home purchase. It simply makes sense to take your time and ensure that you are getting what you are paying for. A home is a complicated conglomeration of systems that are all subject to stress, wear, and deterioration and due to this fact there are a few things that should be examined closely before purchasing any property new or old.
Homes inspections are the best way to ensure that the home you are considering buying is sound. Be careful of sellers who want to have the inspection process skipped. In skipping this process you could be buying a huge problem. There are a few things in particular that you should have the home inspector check for.
- Mold & Mildew - In previous years this never seemed to be a huge issue. However in recent times it has become a hot button issue with many due to the health concerns concerned with mold. Mold is fairly insidious and can thrive in the most unlikely of places. All mold really needs is organic material like wood and a source of moisture. This is usually attributed to a leak or a crack in the home.
- Plumbing - With pipes and water running through almost every wall in a home it is essential to ensure the proper working of the home's plumbing. Faulty plumbing can be costly to fix and can lead to problems with rotting, mold and other unsafe living conditions. Leaky pipes can also lead to extensive home repairs and some sellers will try to cover up water damage with new paint so be sure to have the plumbing checked.
- Electrical - This is a problem that has two different sides. Older homes can have wiring that is outdated, worn or is not sufficient to handle the high power draw of modern appliances. Conversely, new home sometimes have slipshod wiring that has shorts and faults. These can all be large fire hazards and quite detrimental to a home's safety.
Always be careful when purchasing a home. After all it is the safety of you and your family that is concerned here. Have a complete home inspection done on any property you are considering and have professionals check through the various systems if necessary.
Lee Keadle is a professional Realtor serving the Charleston real estate market. For more information on Charleston homes and properties, contact Lee today or visit www.searchforcharlestonrealestate.com
