15/30
The Inspector Will Test for Asbestos
Oh, and for the record, my company does not test for asbestos. When a client wants asbestos testing performed, we refer to Legend Technical Services. Home inspection standards of practice specifically exclude the identification of environmental hazards, such as asbestos. Nevertheless, most home inspectors that I know will point out the stuff, because these materials are fairly easy to identify and all of these materials are very likely to contain asbestos. — Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech
Asbestos is one of several hazards that could be found in the home, here are some other dangers in the house you need to know about.
16/30
Not Having Permits Will Affect the Inspection
In short, the presence or absence of building permits doesn’t have a big effect on the home inspection. We inspect everything the same way, whether permits were pulled for the work. We may be more suspicious of work that has all been done by a handy DIYer, but we’re always even more suspicious of work at flipped houses, permits or no permits.
If you’re buying a home and you find out that improvements were done without permits, discuss your concerns with your home inspector, real estate agent, and possibly even an attorney who specializes in real estate. In most cases, it’s not a big deal, but I’ve heard a few horror stories from people who planned to use the homes as rental properties. — Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech
Pulling permits is just one of the 15 things you need to consider before starting a basement finishing project.
17/30
Condos Don’t Need Inspections
Buying a condo? Get a home inspection, also known as a condo inspection. Even though there is typically less maintenance and responsibility of the individual owners, condos can still experience a lot of the same issues that single-family homes experience. — Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech
If you have a condo, you might want to know how to make a small room feel bigger.
