Having a good realtor in your court makes the home-buying process much easier on you. And good realtors have great connections throughout their community. One such connection is with a reputable home inspector.

Having a home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying a home. Even though an inspection is optional, you don’t want to forgo it. Opting for a home inspection can ensure that the home of your dreams is in great condition before purchasing. Here are eight important areas a good home inspector will investigate.

1. Exterior walls – Home inspectors check the quality of exterior walls. This ensures the home you are buying has siding in good condition.

2. Foundation – Clearly all homes should have a solid foundation. Home inspectors have eyes trained to pick out concerns, like cracks, and alert you to potential problems.

3. Garage – Within garages, inspectors check for sufficient ventilation, the framing of the area and that all doors are in working order. While you may be simply excited to have the extra space for vehicles or storage, your inspector looks deeper to make sure you’re safely covered.

4. Roof – We all want a solid roof over our heads, and a home inspection will ensure that your new home has one. Inspectors make sure there are no missing shingles or water damage and that everything has been properly installed. Additionally, they take a good look at the gutters and the area around the chimney (if there is one).

5. Electrical system – Your inspector will determine the type of wiring your home has and ensure the safety and proper functioning of all outlets. He or she will test the ground fault interrupters in areas like the garage, kitchen, bathroom, outdoors and anywhere else where water may be present.

6. Plumbing system – Your home inspector will make sure your future home is free of leaks — under sinks, in faucets, or showers and tubs. If the home’s pipes are older, the inspector may do a particularly close examination to see what material they are made of and what condition they are in.

7. HVAC – Your inspector can estimate the age of your air conditioner and furnace and tell you the condition of each. If either needs repairs, maintenance or replacement, he or she will let you know.

8. Insulation – Home inspectors can also examine the home’s insulation and ensure that it is safe and adequate. Proper insulation means lower utility costs and better climate control.

Your home inspector’s report gives you a bird’s eye view of your potential new home. You and your realtor can sit down together, work through any items of concern and determine what, if anything, you’d like to ask the seller to fix. Your realtor will help you create reasonable and professional requests. If there are major concerns that the seller is not willing to fix, a home inspection also allows you the freedom to opt out of a contract, thus giving you peace of mind.

At Jacobson Realty and Home Staging, we aim to educate clients about the home buying and selling process. Contact us at 703-338-9678 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.