Inspect your southern home

By Justin Hunter

There are numerous things you have to do and consider before finalizing the purchase on a home. Perhaps the most critical thing you should always have done is a home inspection. An inspection is your last chance to find out if anything is wrong with your prospective new home before you finalize on closing day.

A home inspection is essential before any purchase, especially in the south. An inspection typically looks at the condition of wires, foundation and inside structure, but an inspection in the south knows that there are a few more nuances that can occur within a couple of months after moving in.

Mike Manosky’s article, “Buying A Home In The South? A Home Inspection Is A Must!” posted on ideamarketers.com, explains why it is so important to have a thorough inspection of your new home in the south.
The south, or southeast to be more precise, is prevalent to damaging weather that may damage a home without you really knowing it until something drastic occurs.

There are a few common trouble spots that you will want to make sure your home inspectors walks you through and explains to you the details.

A very costly oversight is the affect of the south’s humidity on wood. “Constant humidity may cause wood windows and doorframes to swell or warp. This may mean that gaps or checks in the wood could develop, causing the windows and doors to be less energy efficient. Your home inspector will also want to investigate the attic of the home you're buying to ensure the wooden structure is in good condition.”
A weak wooden structure leaves your home vulnerable to leakage and more importantly, collapse. But the most common calamity that arises from humidity on wood is rot and mold, which often leads to sickness.

The next thing you will want your inspector to check is wind damage. Thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes are prevalent (especially in the summer months) in the south. Even if your property is not close to the water, it could still suffer the effects of high winds.

As a result, you inspector will need to thoroughly check the roof. “Is it in good condition? Do any shingles need to be replaced? Are there any signs of water damage or leakage?”

“The heat also plays a factor with heating and air-conditioning units in the south. With highs that can exceed 100 degrees in summer months, air-conditioning units get a real workout. Maintenance of these units is a must to ensure they work properly. Ask to see the history of the unit and also secure a letter from a qualified heating and air conditioning company that states the unit is in good working order.”

Buying a home is very expensive. The fees seem to keep piling up until you finally move in. Then, unexpected purchases and little repairs are necessary. The worst thing to have to worry about once you move in, is replacing a leaky roof or moldy wooden beams.

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