You've spent months, possibly years trying to find the perfect home and have finally narrowed down your final selection. Congratulations! Being a first time homebuyer can be a long and stressful process, and the final steps before closing the deal on your dream house involve doing the final inspection.
The final inspection is your opportunity to learn about any major flaws and determine how much they will cost to fix. This will help you make the right offer for the home and also prevent you from overpaying for a house that needs to be completely remodeled or fixed. Here are some important things to check during the final inspection or final walk-through of your prospective home:
1. Major scratches on linoleum floors, countertops or walls. Take a close look at the floors and countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen to make sure there are not any major dents or scratches that would require a complete replacement. Take your time to walk through each area slowly so you don't miss these important details.
2. Test the structure and sound of stairs. From the stairs that lead to the basement to the stairs that go to the loft, you need to make sure all stairways and staircases are structurally sound. First time homebuyers need to take their time checking the stairs. Walk up and down the stairs and apply pressure to different areas as you walk to check for sounds. Any major creaking or noises are indicative of a weak structure.
3. Open and close all cabinets, doors and windows. Make sure all of the cabinets, doors and windows open and close easily, and the hinges aren't rusting. Make a note of anything that doesn't work properly so you can add it to the renovation list and cost it out for your offer.
4. Check the exterior walls. Look for chips, cracks or deep fissures. The exterior of a home is one of the most difficult areas to inspect yet it is an essential part of the final inspection as you would need to know if the building is structurally sound. You have the option to hire a professional building inspector to do this task for you.
5. Climb up to the roof. The only way you can check the roof for severe damage and cracks is by climbing up to at least the gutter level. Be prepared to climb up to the rooftop so you can check for sins of damage and also to determine if the gutters are in good shape. If you don't feel comfortable climbing up there, consider hiring a roofing specialist for a few hours to accompany you on the final inspection.
6. Check the electrical components. This can be done by finding out if all the outlets and lights are working properly. It might be cost a lot to fix or replace these things, and even if it is your reponsibility, you have to be aware of how much it will cost. Many first time home buyers skip this part of the final inspection because an electrical contractor will work with the house inspector before the sale. Checking if there are electrical problems during your final inspection will help you be prepared for this expense.
When looking for MN homes for sale, the internet is an invaluable resource. New homebuyers can use the MN MLS to view active listings of real estate throughout the state.
The final inspection is your opportunity to learn about any major flaws and determine how much they will cost to fix. This will help you make the right offer for the home and also prevent you from overpaying for a house that needs to be completely remodeled or fixed. Here are some important things to check during the final inspection or final walk-through of your prospective home:
1. Major scratches on linoleum floors, countertops or walls. Take a close look at the floors and countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen to make sure there are not any major dents or scratches that would require a complete replacement. Take your time to walk through each area slowly so you don't miss these important details.
2. Test the structure and sound of stairs. From the stairs that lead to the basement to the stairs that go to the loft, you need to make sure all stairways and staircases are structurally sound. First time homebuyers need to take their time checking the stairs. Walk up and down the stairs and apply pressure to different areas as you walk to check for sounds. Any major creaking or noises are indicative of a weak structure.
3. Open and close all cabinets, doors and windows. Make sure all of the cabinets, doors and windows open and close easily, and the hinges aren't rusting. Make a note of anything that doesn't work properly so you can add it to the renovation list and cost it out for your offer.
4. Check the exterior walls. Look for chips, cracks or deep fissures. The exterior of a home is one of the most difficult areas to inspect yet it is an essential part of the final inspection as you would need to know if the building is structurally sound. You have the option to hire a professional building inspector to do this task for you.
5. Climb up to the roof. The only way you can check the roof for severe damage and cracks is by climbing up to at least the gutter level. Be prepared to climb up to the rooftop so you can check for sins of damage and also to determine if the gutters are in good shape. If you don't feel comfortable climbing up there, consider hiring a roofing specialist for a few hours to accompany you on the final inspection.
6. Check the electrical components. This can be done by finding out if all the outlets and lights are working properly. It might be cost a lot to fix or replace these things, and even if it is your reponsibility, you have to be aware of how much it will cost. Many first time home buyers skip this part of the final inspection because an electrical contractor will work with the house inspector before the sale. Checking if there are electrical problems during your final inspection will help you be prepared for this expense.
When looking for MN homes for sale, the internet is an invaluable resource. New homebuyers can use the MN MLS to view active listings of real estate throughout the state.
