Before buying a house, the most important step you need to make is hiring a home inspector to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. If you miss anything, you could be paying for years to fix something that should have been taken care of in advance by the previous owner. The best home inspectors in Baltimore, MD, will expect you to be involved first-hand with the inspection process. It’s going to be your home, after all. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your home inspection is as good as it can be.
Do Your Own Pre-Inspection
You don’t have to be an expert to spot the little things that are wrong with a house. Study the walls and ceilings for evidence of water damage. Go outside and look for cracks in the walls, and evidence of drainage issues. Study the electrical panel for obvious problems like loose wiring, and switch all the lights in the house on and off. Run the faucets and the toilet and check for leaks. Taking the extra effort to examine the home before the inspector gets there will be of use later on.
Find the Right Home Inspector
There are a lot of home inspectors out there. It’s vital that you find a home inspector who will be straight with you about whatever issues they find with the house. While your realtor may have some suggestions, they’re most interested in making a sale. Perform your due diligence and interview a few candidates before settling on your home inspector.
Be Present at the Inspection
Like many things in life, the first step to success is merely showing up. Give the home a good going over in advance, so you’ll be prepared with questions to address any concerns you may have. By making yourself knowledgeable, you’re helping the inspector do their job and making it more likely they’ll perform a thorough inspection.
Get Photographic Evidence
Your home inspector should go into places like the roof, attic, and crawl spaces that you shouldn’t have to see yourself. Make sure they’re taking pictures of any problems that need to be resolved. Check with your home inspector in advance to see if they use infrared and thermal cameras to examine and record what’s going on behind the walls. Sometimes this service will cost more, but it’s worth it.
Look out for Quick Fixes
It’s normal for homeowners to repaint prior to selling a house, but if you notice what appears to be a splotchy paint job, or duct tape haphazardly stuck to a pipe, those could be signs that they’re trying to hide bigger problems you don’t yet know about.
Little steps like these done in coordination with your home inspector in Baltimore, MD, could mean the difference between a good inspection and the best home inspection. Contact Lodestar Inspection Services to learn more.