What to Expect During a Home Inspection

You've made an offer on a home and it's been accepted... now what? A number of things need to take place before you can close on the property. Your trusted real estate agents in Sunrise Beach, MO are here to dive a little deeper into one of the steps that will need to occur. A home inspection may be performed on the property in which you intend to purchase. This can help all involved parties know about the condition of the home and if any repairs are necessary. If you plan to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, a home inspection may be in your near future! Check out what occurs below in order to be prepared when the time comes.

The purpose of a home inspection is to give the buyer and seller a "check-up" of the property. It's important to know exactly what you are getting, when buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. An inspector or team of inspectors will come to look around the inside and exterior of the home being sold. Many home transactions will have a contingency clause that depends on the home inspection. This can give the buyer or seller a way to back out of the deal, if something unexpected is reported in the home inspection.

Interior

When the inspector is inside the home, there are a TON of items they will address. From checking each electrical outlet and light switch to ensuring the appliances are in working order, it's their job to make sure all the major home functions are working properly. All plumbing and faucets will be checked, as well. An HVAC system will be inspected to ensure it is up to standard. All windows and doors will be checked for security and drafts too. Any damage to the structure will be noted, as well. Depending on the size of the home, this tedious process can take hours to complete.

Exterior

When an inspection is done of the exterior, the entire outside of the home will be looked over to ensure it is stable. The foundation will be inspected to ensure it is sturdy and in good condition. Exterior decks and any outdoor home systems will be looked over, as well. The purpose is to ensure the home is stable for the current and next owners, alike. The roof is another piece of the exterior inspection that will take place. From shingle condition to security of the gutters, the entire roof will be looked over to ensure any damage or other issue is reported.

Add On Tests

Many homes around the Lake area are on a septic system, versus city supply. A septic inspection can be performed to ensure the entire system is in proper working order. Another popular test is a radon detection test to determines if the odorless radioactive gas is present in the home. There are a number of other tests that can be added on to a home inspection, as well. It's best to describe the property to your inspector and see what they recommend.

Report

After the inspection has concluded, a lengthy report will be put together for review of both the buyer and seller. This helps to give everyone an idea of the property report and what items should be repaired. At this point, the buyer OR seller can make further negotiations on the purchase of the home. For instance, many buyers will make a counter to the agreed upon offer to add in any repairs that may be needed.

Now that you've hopefully learned a little something about the home inspection process, you're ready to get started with your Lake of the Ozarks home search. If you're thinking of buying land, a single dwelling home, or a condominium, Eagle's Nest Realty is here for you. We can help you find exactly what you're looking for when it comes to property at The Lake. Give us a call today to see how we can help you find your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks!


Call (573) 374-0769 to schedule a showing today!

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What Is Inspected In A Home Inspection?

Buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks is a complicated process with lots of required steps, and having a real estate agent in Sunrise Beach to guide you can make a world of difference. One of the steps you will have to take is hiring a professional home inspector to perform a thorough inspection of the property. This week, Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. is here to help you get a better understanding of this important part of the process.

The Home Inspection

During the inspection, the inspector will closely evaluate every aspect of the property to determine its current condition. The inspection report will contain a detailed analysis of the inspector's findings. This report aims to uncover any potential issues with the property, especially anything that could lead to costly repairs. When these issues are identified before the closing, the buyer has the opportunity to negotiate the cost of these repairs into the home purchase (or potentially back out of the sale altogether). There are a couple of different ways to negotiate the cost of repairs in a home purchase:

• The sellers can perform any necessary repairs before the closing date.
• The sellers can reduce the sale price to accommodate for the buyers' cost of the required repairs.
• The sellers can contribute to the closing costs in exchange for the buyers covering the cost of the repairs.

After the closing date, any issues with the property will become the buyers' responsibility - regardless of whether or not the buyers were aware of these issues before they purchased the home. It comes as no surprise, then, that the inspection report is an incredibly valuable tool for anyone who is purchasing real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Items Covered In The Home Inspection

As we have discussed, a proper home inspection is incredibly thorough. The inspector should evaluate almost every aspect of the property. Here are a few examples of the items an inspection report should cover. (Source: Angie's List)

• Structural components: foundation, framing
• Plumbing systems: water heating equipment, sump pump, drains, pipes
• Roof system: shingles, skylights, flashing
• Heating and cooling systems: equipment, venting, energy sources
• Fireplaces: chimney, vents
• Electrical system: breakers, fuses, service panels
• Exterior features: porches, balconies, railings, walkways, siding, soffits, driveways
• Interior features: walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, stairs, railings
• Insulation and ventilation

Septic Systems are another very important part of home inspections, especially at the Lake. The current owner of the property will need to locate the tank and uncover it (remove the lid) for the inspector to access the tank. The required tests will include an inspection of the tank and dye flushed into the system from the house. The leech field should show no color on the surface to pass. Never buy a house without testing the septic system! If the home is on a private well, the water should also be tested for coliform bacteria by a commercial or government laboratory.

While it may not be a comprehensive list, this should help you get a better understanding of the home inspection and the types of things covered in the process.

Questions About Buying A House? We Have Answers!

If you have additional questions about buying real estate and what the process looks like, don't be afraid to give us a call at 877-452-5338. Our team of experienced real estate professionals at the Lake of the Ozarks would be honored to help you in any way we can. We look forward to talking to you!

Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc.                                               Like Us On Facebook

Bill & Sky Johnson                                                             Follow Us On Twitter

33431 Evanston Road                                                          Find Us On LinkedIn

Sunrise Beach, MO  65079                                                     +1 Us On Google+