By SG
•
February 1, 2024
Typical Maryland Inspections When buying a house in Maryland, it’s the buyer’s right to request inspections. It’s important to note that the buyer pays for most, if not all, of these inspections. There are many inspections that a buyer may request, but this list will focus on the most common ones in Maryland. The Whole-House Inspection: A whole-home inspection typically includes the interior and exterior of the home including all home systems such as the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. This is a visual inspection, which means while everything might be visually functional, yet there may be problems not visible to the naked eye. Such issues may whether be behind the walls or within home systems. Homebuyers will receive an inspection report upon completion Buyers will be educated by home inspectors. Tips may range from how home systems work, to maintenance of the house, or simple home ownership tips Positives and negatives will both be pointed out in this inspection Well and Septic Tests: Wells supply water and a septic system, also known as water and sewage handles sanitation. For this inspection a visual inspection of the tank and distribution box needs to be performed, to accomplish this, the system is pumped out and the inspector will look for things such as missing or broken parts, or any other signs of decay. Lenders often require the water quality to be tested Problems with both water and septic systems are almost impossible to determine without a proper inspection Pest Inspection: This inspection is to ensure that there are no pests that can cause damage to the house and that there are no existing structural threats to the house. A wood-destroying insect inspection or WDI is required by most lenders for approval of a loan to buy a house For Maryland, if the buyer is using a VA loan, an inspection is typically required by This inspection is often paid for at settlement rather than in advance Radon Testing: Radon is a radioactive, carcinogenic gas that is tasteless, colorless and odorless. In testing, either two charcoal containers or a digital device will be placed in the basement. Over a period of several days, air samples will be collected and evaluated. There are reported to be elevated radon levels in certain areas in Maryland Readings above 4.0 are considered elevated Most home inspectors also perform the radon testing According to the National Cancer Institute, Radon is the second leading cause of cancer in the country Chimney Inspection: For this inspection, a camera is placed down the chimney in efforts to find any evidence of damage such as cracks. If there has been a chimney fire, this inspection will find out This inspection will also see if there is a chimney liner, which safeguards the chimney structure How to Request a Home Inspection in Maryland: The Property Inspections Addendum is one of the common forms included in a contract when buying a house. This inspection contingency allows the buyer the option to pay to have the house inspected, and afterwards request any necessary repairs. If any requests cannot be resolved, this contingency allows the buyer to cancel the purchase. Typically, all inspections are required to take place within a specific time frame, often 14 days or sooner after a contract is accepted. The buyer’s real estate agent can provide a list of recommended inspectors. The recommended inspectors should be called and asked about their availability, inspection process, and prices. If the inspection is completed or the report is received after the specified deadline, the buyer will not be able to ask the seller to repair anything. The buyer’s real estate agent should make sure that inspections are scheduled on time to avoid this outcome. What Can be Expected at a Home Inspection: The home inspection can take anywhere from 1-3 hours. The time taken to complete the inspection depends on the size of the house. A good inspector will be as thorough as they possibly can rather than rush through the inspection. While inspecting the house, the inspector will also educate and explain things to the buyer, as well as provide maintenance tips. This will also provide the buyer the opportunity to plan and budget for replacements. The seller will be expected to leave the house during all inspections. As the buyer pays for their inspections, the inspections and their results belong to them. Occasionally, a homeowner may refuse to leave their house during an inspection, it is strongly recommended to avoid doing this as the seller could say something that may scare away the buyer. If there are any concerns, the seller will receive a copy of the report when the buyer submits their list of repairs. Need more information? I’m here to help!