Top 5 Things to Know about Home Inspections in Utah

Home inspections are not required in Utah but are highly recommended by experienced homeowners as well as real estate agents and banks. A home inspection should be conducted if you are selling your home but, more importantly, if you are purchasing a house or other type of home.

It is important for the simple fact that sellers do not always disclose major issues that are happening at the property, or they simply do not know about them. No one wants to purchase a home only to find out the foundation is breaking or rotting. A home inspection before you sign on the dotted line is a great way to eliminate trouble and heartaches later on.

If mold is found during a home inspection, it can be a deal breaker for some people, especially those who suffer from an autoimmune type of disease. For many other people, though, it is not a deal breaker but will depend on the amount of mold and how much it will cost to eradicate it from the property.

If mold is found, you will want to renegotiate the purchase price of the house since you will be shelling out some amount of money for a mold remediation company to come in and remove it. You could also make the seller pay for the mold remediation process. You will need to find out from your home inspector how much mold is present in the type of mold it is before proceeding with the purchase of the house or other property.

When it comes to buying a house, deal breakers from a home inspection can vary from person to person, but there are a few that will make most people turn and run away from a property.

For many people, the foundation of a house is the first thing they want to know about since repairing or replacing a home’s foundation is extremely costly and time-consuming. Many potential home buyers also want to know more about the outside of the home from a home inspection. This can include exterior issues, such as damaged siding or loose bricks, and weatherproofing issues that could cost the homeowner more money and heating and cooling bills in the long run. Many potential home buyers also want to have the roof inspected since it can also be extremely expensive to replace or repair.

When it comes to the safety and value of a house or other property, most home inspectors would agree that there are five top areas that are inspected during a home inspection. Read on to find out what those are so that you will be better prepared when purchasing your next property.

Foundation

As stated earlier in this article, the foundation is literally what a home is built upon, and it needs to be in good shape. A home inspector will check to ensure that the home’s structure, from the foundation all the way up to the roof and everything in between is in good repair. Foundation issues are most often the biggest deal breaker for potential home buyers.

Roof

When it comes to the roof area of the home, it is very important that the roof is in good shape so it can protect a home from the outdoor elements in temperatures, including wind, rain, snow, extremely cold weather, and very hot weather. If a roof is high performing, it will keep a house very well insulated while still offering good ventilation to help maintain air quality inside the house. A well-insulated roof can also help keep down heating and cooling costs for the owners.

The Pipes and Plumbing

Nothing is worse than a clogged toilet or sewage backup into a basement, so you will definitely want a home inspector to check the plumbing of the house before you purchase it to ensure everything is in great working order. The home inspector will check the water flow in the home as well as the pipes themselves and all drains.

The Electrical System

The electrical system of a home must be in good working order to not only provide the residents of the home with quality electricity and proper lighting, but also to prevent a house fire from occurring or some other dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation due to electrical problems. A home inspector will evaluate the home’s electrical panel and breaker boxes to ensure there are no corroded wires and that all of the wires in place have the proper amperage ratings.

Heating and Cooling 

The heating and cooling system of a house or other building is extremely important to provide the proper amount of heat during the winter months, cool air during the hot summer months, and even to ventilate the house or other buildings properly. If the house has a very old HVAC unit, you may want to have it replaced before the final sale of the house.