Home Inspections: What Every Southern Ohio Buyer and Seller Needs to Know

At Vance Team Realtors, we strongly recommend home inspections for every buyer, even though they are not required by your lender. A thorough inspection protects your investment and helps avoid costly surprises after closing. Here's a breakdown of what to consider:

Standard Home Inspection A general home inspection covers the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. While not required by lenders, it's one of the smartest investments a buyer can make.

WDI Inspection (Wood Destroying Insects) A WDI inspection checks for termites and other wood-destroying insects. We recommend this for all buyers, and if you're using a VA loan, your lender will require it.

Well and Septic Inspections For rural properties with private wells and septic systems, separate well and septic inspections are strongly advised. These systems can be costly to repair or replace, so knowing their condition before closing is essential.

Manufactured Home Structural Engineering Inspection If you're purchasing a manufactured home, your lender will require a structural engineer's inspection of the tie-downs and support system to ensure the home meets safety standards.

Sewer Line Camera Inspection For older in-town homes on public sewer, we highly recommend hiring a plumbing company to run a camera through the main drain line from the house to the street. Over the years, tree roots can infiltrate drain lines, and collapsed sections can lead to expensive repairs.

A Note for Sellers A pre-listing home inspection is a wise investment. Identifying and addressing issues before listing can prevent deals from falling apart and save considerable time and money during the selling process.

At Vance Team Realtors, we don't endorse specific inspectors, but we do provide buyers with a list of three qualified home inspectors to help get the process started.

👉 Visit VanceTeamRealtors.com for more buyer and seller resources.
📞 Bryan: 937-776-3405 | Rene: 937-205-6513.