4ish years ago when I bought a house I was convinced not to get a house inspection, would it be crazy to get one now just to make sure it's all good?

Was 25 and super nervous, so when the realtor was like "oh yeah they just check for basic stuff, but I looked around and it looks great" I was like "Oh okay, this is so astronomically expensive every penny saved is good..."

Everything has been great as far as I can tell. House was built like 40 years ago but super well maintained it seemed and I've been super happy. But just curious if maybe I should hire someone to make sure there was nothing outstanding from back then, and no major issues have popped up in the last couple years like leaks/foundation issues, the like.

Is that crazy? Is it weird to call and be like "I'm not selling, I just wanna make sure there are no issues I need to address before they get worse"

Is there a certain type of inspector I should get? I know some inspectors are notoriously lazy.

Also I moved in 2 weeks before covid lock downs happened for time line stuff.

Hello_there ,

Pest inspection at the least. You want to know if you have dry rot or termites.

all-knight-party ,
@all-knight-party@kbin.run avatar

Indeed. My current house is great thanks to an inspection. My wiring was incredibly old, and so are my pipes. We had to replace the wiring, legally, as the house couldn't be insured, it was a fire risk, but I'd rather know that than die in a fire.

And if I didn't use a good inspector I would've ended up at a different house that looked amazing, but had incredibly expensive termite damage hidden behind insulation that the owners shoved in the foundation to cover up the damage.

FuglyDuck ,
@FuglyDuck@lemmy.world avatar

Always make the sale contingent on an inspection (and also on the sale of your current house,)

A full inspection covers all sorts of things, many of which are regulated and mandated in specific locations. Here’s a basic article on it

It’s not weird to get one if you haven’t before, and it’s a good idea. They can also point out code violations (and I’m not sure how expensive that can get… they may mandate you fix it. It may just be a reconditioned you fix it.)(and if you ever need to get a permit, the mandatory inspection that frequently happens with that is a bad time to find out.)

givesomefucks ,

They can also point out code violations (and I’m not sure how expensive that can get… they may mandate you fix it

That's a reason not to get it tho...

My Mom sold without an inspection because of little things like putting a ceiling fan on a dimmer to control the speed of the fan.

Everything was done by licensed contractors, just small town bullshit where people do what they want. Especially when a house hasn't been sold for 50 years, small stuff like that adds up until a sale happens.

Could she have updated everything that was like that before the sale? Sure, but it would have been a huge hassle and in today's market she could just sell "as is" with no hit to price.

Now, as a buyer would I trust a seller I didn't know?

Fuck no.

But I grew up in that house, I know what happened.

FuglyDuck ,
@FuglyDuck@lemmy.world avatar

Everything was done by licensed contractors, just small town bullshit where people do what they want. Especially when a house hasn't been sold for 50 years, small stuff like that adds up until a sale happens.

Could she have updated everything that was like that before the sale? Sure, but it would have been a huge hassle and in today's market she could just sell "as is" with no hit to price.

First off… depending on how the dimmer switch controls speed, that could be a great way to burn out a fan- most switches are for lights and adjust voltage. Fan motors expect a certain voltage and instead use amperage to adjust speed.

That’s why typical dimmer switches violate code.

It’s not something virtually any inspector is going to gig you harshly on (compared to say a severe gas leak.)

It’d also something you’re going to want to know about if you ever have to remodel or potentially sell.

As a seller, there are usually mandatory disclosure laws. Failing to disclose something that’s found after they move in- even in “as is”‘contracts can potentially lead to massive legal costs. The kind that, even if you win, you still lose.

But the OP’s perspective is as a buyer, not a seller and the games you’re talking about playing… yeah. That’s exactly why buyers should always make it contingent on inspection.

givesomefucks ,

But the OP’s perspective is as a buyer,

You didn't even make it all the way thru my comment before deciding to weigh in, did you?

Now, as a buyer would I trust a seller I didn’t know?

Fuck no.

This isn't the first time I've seen your account do this stupid shit, but it's the last time I'll ever see you do anything.

FuglyDuck ,
@FuglyDuck@lemmy.world avatar

It’s funny. You skipped to the end without reading the bit about legal liability on a seller…a point I wouldn’t have made if I didn’t read your comment.

Yet here you are pissed enough to block me…. /sigh.

Brkdncr ,

Not from Los Angeles are ya?

Shadow ,
@Shadow@lemmy.ca avatar

Or most of the west coast, or pretty much any major city st this point it seems.

Bahalex ,

Houses built in the 40’s, earthquake country, listed for over a million dollars and “no contingencies”. Sounds like the bargain of the century!

AFKBRBChocolate ,

When you buy a used car through a private party, you have a mechanic check it over for two reasons:

  1. You want to make sure you aren't overpaying (because repairs are needed)
  2. You want to make sure it's safe and doesn't need immediate maintenance

It's the same for a house. The first one is moot: you already bought it and can't go back. But the second one still applies - it would be good to get it looked over.

667 ,
@667@lemmy.radio avatar

We got an inspection on both ends, when we purchased (was required by the lender) and an appraisal, too. A pre-sale inspection should indicate to you if you have any lurking problems that will come up during sale if you don’t know about them and could jeopardize a deal.

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