Congratulations!! Your offer just got accepted by the seller and now you need to get the property inspected but which inspection(s) should you order? Well, it varies depending on what kind of property you are buying (a condo or a house), where it is located (flat land, hillside, etc…), and what condition the property seems to be in (brand new, remodeled, good shape, bad, etc…).
In general I always recommend to my buyer clients to start with a “general inspection” of the property and to listen carefully to the inspector’s recommendations, especially if he/she recommends any further inspections of some questionable areas. The general inspector is exactly that a “general” inspector. Although many happens experts in a particular field (electrical or plumbing, etc…), they will not perform a truly thorough inspection in that particular area but they will usually recommendation that you hire an expert if they feel that it is necessary. If they do make such recommendation, I would highly recommend that you follow their advice. But of course, if the inspector does not recommend any further inspection, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. Always follow your instinct if you have any particular concern or needs.
For instance, if you or any member of your family happens to suffer from asthma or respiratory allergies or if you have a a new born child or any elderly person with a weaker immune system, then you should probably consider getting a mold inspection of the property.
Or if the property is located on a hillside, you should definitely consider getting a geological inspection to check on any “earth movements” that might have recorded in the previous, etc…
If the house is located on a street where there are a lot of trees on the sidewalk, and espescially if there are big trees right in front of the property or in the front yard, then you should definitely order a sewer line inspection, as the roots from the trees could definitely do a lot of damage to the sewer line. Although these days, I recommend that every buyer gets the swer line inspected regardless of the location, especially if the property is 40 years or older.
