Buying a new home can be a challenging, bittersweet, and exciting time all rolled into one! With the prospect of finding a new house to call your home, you may be eager to move in as soon as possible. However, with any home you're interested in, take a step back and let a home inspector take a look first. Trained to assess the overall condition of a home, inside and out, home inspectors can give accurate reports on what looks good or what needs work with your new home. Read on for three reasons why hiring a home inspector is necessary. 

Structural Condition

While your new home may look perfect on the outside, there may be underlying conditions that are unseen. Issues with the foundation, for example, can wreak havoc on a home in the long run, compromising its structural integrity. With a home that may have structural issues, unsafe living conditions could arise for prospective residents. Hiring a home inspector will help you understand what, if any, structural issues your home may have. Additionally, your home inspector will provide you with a complete report on the overall condition of the home and note any areas of concern. A tree with large roots growing near the home, for instance, may compromise the foundation in the long run. 

Plumbing

The last thing you'll want to deal with after moving in is an onslaught of plumbing issues! From backed up main lines to dated pipes, the plumbing of your home is an enormous factor in the purchase of a new home. Plumbing that is dated, for example, could be prone to leaks or even disintegrate completely, leaving the owners with a huge mess on their hands. Replacement plumbing is not cheap, either! Depending on the size of your home, a replacement system could easily cost thousands of dollars. A home inspector will conduct a thorough examination of the plumbing lines in the home, reporting if there are any issues that need to be addressed or, hopefully, that all looks clear. 

Signs of Pests

The presence of pests can be extremely detrimental to a home. Especially for older homes or ones that have been vacant for an extended period of time, a complete inspection will be necessary. Your home inspector will look for signs of common pests including cockroaches, ants, and mice. After checking for obvious signs of a pest infestation including visual sightings, the presence of droppings, or evidence of damage to the home, the home inspector will give a report regarding the extent of a pest infestation. Possible entry points will also be disclosed if found by the inspector, which can be can be crucial in the extermination process. 

If you need a home inspection, talk to an inspector in your area.