Home Inspections are critical for your Louisville, KY Real Estate purchase

Whether you are buying your first Louisville home or moving up to your dream home, you want to make sure that everything is as perfect as possible. Having an inspection done by a licensed and certified home inspector can set your mind at ease, or give you an important heads up about potential problems.

Home inspections are valuable for a number of different reasons, from their ability to uncover hidden damage to their usefulness as a negotiating tool. Even if the seller has already had the home inspected, you will want to have your own independent assessment done.

Uncover Hidden Damage

The seller of the home is required to disclose any damage they are aware of, but there could be hidden damage that has gone undetected for years. That hidden damage may not be covered under the seller disclosure requirements, so it is important to have the home inspected before you proceed to closing.

That home inspection could uncover anything from minor cracks in the wall behind a built-in bookcase to dangerous conditions like mold or radon problems. The only way to know for sure is to have your Louisville Real Estate inspected by a licensed professional.
 
In KY all home inspectors must complete a training program, pass an examination approved by the board and comply with either ASHI or NAHI standards. Additionally they must complete 30 hours of continuing education each year. The Brad Long Real Estate Group can provide you with a list of home inspectors that meet this criteria.

Home Inspection Checklist Items

Structural Elements.

Integrity of walls, ceilings, floors, roof and foundation. 

Exterior.

Brick, Vinyl or Wood siding,  grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights and exterior receptacles.

Roof and Attic.

Framing, ventilation, type of roof construction, flashing and gutters. It does not include a guarantee of roof condition.

Plumbing.

Identification of pipe materials used for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes. Including condition. Toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps. It does not include a sewer inspection. 

Systems and Components.

Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers. 

Electrical.

Main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and light fixtures. 

Appliances. Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and, smoke detectors that are hard wired or have 10 year lithium batteries. 

Garage.

Slab, walls, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights, receptacles, exterior, windows and roof. 

After the Home Inspection

The home inspection is meant to insure that your Louisville Home is in good shape structurally, mechancally and has no safety issues. What a Home inspection is not meant to do is find cosmetic items that represent normal wear and tear.

After the inspection is complete the home buyer will be given a written report detailing the findings of the home inspector. At this stage the buyer may proceed with the purchase, request the seller to make repairs or terminate the contract. In some cases the seller will offer a credit at closing to cover all or part of the repairs. This option can work in many cases, however if the loan is a FHA or VA they may require certain repairs be completed prior to closing.  As a client of The Brad Long Real Estate Group we will walk you through this sometimes confusing and difficult process. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding questions you may have. 

We love helping buyers find their new homes!