Whether buying or selling a home, there are many things to prepare for and it can seem like a daunting task. Louisville has beautiful homes with aesthetic appeal, such as the Crescent Hill area, which makes a home buying experience all the more pleasing. There are important steps that should be taken before buying a home to ensure the best outcome. Buyers should hire a professional inspector to examine the house. The inspector will assess the structure and mechanics of the house, including the foundation, roof, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, air conditioning, wells and sewer lines. An inspection will point out any problems or potential hazards as well as make suggestions about maintenance.
So knowing what to look for is key. Many house paints built before 1978 contained lead paint, which can cause significant health problems to infants, children and women of childbearing age. While use of the paint has stopped, many older homes still contain lead paint. If your home was built before 1978, you might want to consider having a lead-based paint inspection particularly if the paint appears to be cracking or chalking. Of all the things that homebuyers overlook, the sewer is at the top. Many inspectors will refer you to a sewer scope company since this runs outside their area of expertise. A sewer scope is a worthwhile investment for homes that are 20 years or older with pipes that could be blocked by tree roots. The upfront cost for a sewer scope will run from $85 to $300, but it can save you thousands on replacing a sewer line down the road. Clogs and slow flushing or draining can be anything from build-up at the trap to tree roots punching through your sewer lines. Happy House Hunting!
