While there are multiple factors that contribute to the purchase of a home on the buyer’s end such as credit, income-debt, savings, collateral and more, one of the things that you must be aware of on the opposite end is home inspection. While first time homebuyers can be quick to rush in to what looks like a good deal, often times if they are unaware of what to look for in the purchase of a house, they can end up regretting it later. For example, if you find what looks like a great deal on the house of your dreams and rush in to the purchase, in a couple of years, you might end up with the regrets of not looking at the foundation or roof. This could cost you multiple thousands of dollars in both resale value and labor that you must put into the house. Therefore, this blog post will provide a quick list of things to be aware of for the Exterior in a Home Inspection.

Exterior

While there are a number of things to look at on both the inside and outside of the house, one of the first places you want to spend some time is on the roof/attic. Ask yourself these questions in a physical or mental checklist as you look at this area of the house.

Roof/Attic:

• Are there shingles missing?
• Is there flashing and trim installed?
• Are there any signs of leaks?
• When will the roof need to be replaced?

Running through these questions will help you determine some of the most crucial aspects of your home purchase. The next list, might be even more important.

Foundation:

In what could easily be one of the most crucial elements in your house, the foundation is what is necessary to carry the weight and load of all the other elements in a home. If you have a poor foundation due to corrosion or termites, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the house comes crumbling down. Therefore, a poor foundation can diminish the value of the house by 30-45%. Look at this before the purchase of a house.

• Are there any visible cracks on the outside of the wall?
• Are there any trees near the foundation?
• Has there been any repair on the foundation previously?
• If so, what for?

Yard:

• Does the drainage slope away from the house?
• Are there any soggy areas you can identify?
• Are the walkways and driveway in good condition?

As said above, a home inspection can go a long way in the determination of the value of a house. That’s why it is crucial to understand certain elements of what to look for before the purchase of a house. In the next post, we will list a set of requirements to check on in the interior of the home.