Property Inspection

Whether you purchase an old property or a newly constructed property, you should have it inspected. It is not a lender requirement but you should understand what you are buying. This will let you know of defects with the property, whether or not you will need to make repairs, if you need to re-negotiate the price, or whether or not you need to rescind your offer. You should schedule the inspection so that you can attend and ask questions.

There are different types of inspections. A home inspection will review the structural aspects of the home. A pest inspection will determine if there are bugs or rodents. Environmental inspections such as lead paint, radon, and urea formaldehyde insulation detect environmental hazards in the home. These tests are administered separately. The cost for an inspection is $250 and up.

In hiring an inspector, it is important to inquire about the inspector’s experience in the industry. Ask for references. The inspector must produce a final document outlining the findings from the home inspections. You should ask about the format of the findings document. Home inspectors must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Click here to check Massachusetts State Licensure.