Congratulations! You’re almost ready to close on your new home. You’re excited to move in, get settled, and start enjoying the best of what North Carolina has to offer. Whether you’re purchasing a home along the beaches of the Outer Banks or near the Queen City of Charlotte, there’s a lot to look forward to. If you feel like the stressful home-buying process is dampening your excitement, don’t worry! Our expert team of realtors is here to help get you up to speed on the North Carolina home inspection checklist. Read on to ensure you’re getting the best value for your home!
A home inspection is an objective appraisal of the home’s current condition before the purchase is final. The home’s visible and accessible components are evaluated. These elements include the plumbing, roof, electrical, etc. Everything is inspected by a licensed professional according to the North Carolina Home Inspectors Standards of Practice. The inspection is intended to benefit the client (in this case, the homebuyer) by alerting them to any alarming conditions of the home that should be addressed.
Note: A home inspection is NOT an appraisal of the value of the home or the estimated cost of repairs needed. Instead, it is an evaluation of the home’s condition on the day of inspection.
With the help of a licensed home inspector, the home inspection brings to light any items that are not in working order, adversely affect the home’s habitability, or warrant further investigation. It certifies that there are no hidden surprises and that you’ll get the most value out of your future home. As a safety net, a contingency or “jump-out” clause allows the deal to be voided in case the buyer and seller can’t agree upon a solution to a problem unearthed during the inspection.
Most homebuyers lack the skills and knowledge to perform a professional home inspection on their own. Even if they do know how to conduct one, it can be impossible to do so when the home in question is the one that has personal value to you. With the help of a professional, the home inspection will generate a report that includes a summary of the findings.
Inspecting an entire home, even under the guidance of a professional home inspector, can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve highlighted a few essential areas of the home to survey and some crucial questions to ask.
The final walk-thru of the home is usually performed either the night before or the day of closing when the home is unoccupied by its former residents. The goal of the inspection, and the following final walk-thru, is for the buyer to be happy with their new home, so it’s very important to be thorough. The final walk-thru is the last chance to make sure that everything you see in the home will be included in the purchase and address any last-minute issues you notice.
As the home inspection only requires a “representative number” of appliances, outlets, etc. to be tested, the walk-thru is the perfect opportunity for you to test everything. Run appliances in case they’ve broken in the interim, and test outlets and light fixtures. Also, make sure that previously agreed-upon repairs have been completed.
Once you’ve completed your home inspection, it’s time to celebrate. Congratulations on purchasing your new home!
The North Carolina home inspection checklist is an essential part of purchasing a new home. But first, you have to find the perfect home for you. If living by sandy beaches, gentle surf, and beautiful sunsets all year long sounds ideal, the Outer Banks is the place for you. Shoreline OBX Realty makes finding the right home easy by connecting you with the best, most knowledgeable agents in the area. Whether you’re looking for a new family home or an investment property, our extensive Outer Banks real estate listings have something to fit everyone’s needs. Contact our real estate team to get started on your home search today!
