Home Inspections You Shouldn't Skip

We've been getting questions lately about home inspections that we wanted to answer for you today. Which ones should you get and which ones shouldn't you bother with?
 

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Of all the available inspections, you need to figure out which ones are important to your transaction because every home is different. For example, a new construction home probably wouldn't get the same inspections that a 40-year-old home gets, but there are some general rules to follow.
 
The number one home inspection we always recommend is the general home inspection. This is where an inspector will look at everything in the house, like whether the windows are working properly, whether the roof looks like it needs to be replaced, and the condition of the hot water heater. They check every piece of the property, down to the foundation itself.
 
The second major inspection we recommend is a termite inspection; these are usually needed for most loans out there, anyway. Most loans with a mortgage will require a WDIR (wood destroying insect report) to make sure it's free and clear of termites.
 
Since we're in South Louisiana, we always recommend a video plumbing inspection to our buyers. We recommend this because much of the older plumbing here is made of terracotta, and tree roots can crack it or even grow through it. The video plumbing inspection will tell you if there's corrosion or tree damage in the piping. The soil here is very soft, so settling can be an issue with these pipes, too.

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Termite inspections are usually required to get a mortgage.

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The fourth inspection we recommend is actually one from professional vendors. This could include people like an air conditioner serviceman, a plumber, or an electrician. If the general inspection you get reveals an issue like something that's not up to code or the roof looks too old, we recommend you bring out a licensed professional in the appropriate field to check on them. We also recommend you get any inspections for items specific to the property, like a pool or a well.
 
These are the most common inspections for homes in our area, but each home is different. If you have any questions about home inspections or you're looking to buy or sell a home, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help!