For a respectable home inspector, not every house inspection can turn out to be a well-sailing affair. This is because sometimes abandoned or vacant homes can also make their way into the real estate market.
It should be known that vacant houses pose almost no threat to the home inspector because these homes are easier to inspect because of no inhabitants. Moreover, if there are no household belongings or furniture inside the house, then it’s even better for the home inspector when doing his or her job. Therefore, in case you’re a prospective buyer and want to inspect a vacant or abandoned home by using the services of a home inspector, then the following suggestions should be followed.
Tips & Tricks When Inspecting An Abandoned Or Vacant Home
- Checking The Utility Services And Whether They’re Active
Popular home inspection in Georgetown services has stated that checking the utility services should be your first criteria. In case the homeowner lives far away from where the vacant house is situated, then it can be a headache because since the power will be shut down, you’ll not be able to inspect the electrical system inside the house along with your home inspector.
Without any electrical power, you cannot expect to check any appliances, smoke detectors or lighting fixtures. Furthermore, you’ll not be able to test the cooling & heating system inside the house.
Times like these are when you need to take the extra step and keep the homeowner informed about your arrival, at least one or two weeks prior. This will give the property owner enough time to make arrangements for utility services. But, if the utility services are not provided, despite letting the property owner know beforehand about the inspection, then it’s better to avoid performing the inspection altogether.
- Checking The Presence Of Rodents & Pests
If the house has been abandoned for a lengthy period, then it can be possible that there is an infestation of pests and rodents. Creatures such as these usually make their way inside vacant homes because they feel it’s a safer place, away from the concentration of human lives.
So, if you and your home inspector are not cautious about the presence of pests & rodents, then you two can easily get injured. Things that you should be looking out for in a vacant house:
- Termites
- Spiders
- Bats
- Birds
- Ants
- Cats
- Dogs
- Mice
- Racoons
- Bees and so on.
That’s why we always suggest keeping your local animal control & wildlife agency within reach so that you can ask for help whenever you require any assistance.
We hope you liked our extensive guide and in case you have any further queries, be sure to let us know.
