What level of home inspection to get in Columbus

Question

Hello,

I'm about to go under contract soon on a single family in the South of Main neighborhood which I intend to hold and rent long term. I'm trying to decide which inspection to do, and the current inspector that I'm looking at offers a basic inspection, as well as add-ons that cover:

-Radon

-Sewer

-Termite

-Well water potability

I'm wondering if any of the add-on inspection items are things that commonly pose problems for homes in Columbus?

And what type of inspections do other investors here usually use? I.e. do you get everything inspected, or only the more basic stuff?

Thank you  in advance

Mark Frattini · Answer

@John Symanski

I usually have a general inspection and scope the sewer lines at a minimum. Ask your general inspector and realtor what else is recommended for that area and type of home.

Remington Lyman · Answer

Most investors I know just get the general inspection. When I purchase property here in Columbus, Ohio I personally just walk the property. I try to save money by forgoing the formal inspections.

Allen Tracy · Answer

Also make sure your general inspector inspects the whole property and not just the main building.  I've had an inspector miss checking the backyard fence on two properties.  $4,000 to fix and I got nothing from the seller because I didn't know about it until after I purchased the property.

Kwame Amoako · Answer

@John Symanski

A good general inspection covers a lot, I would get that

Account Closed · Answer

SEWER SCOPE! Surprised nobody suggested that.  I pay, I think, $180 for them to come out and run the camera down the line and tell me what they are seeing. Then I get a little USB key with the sewer video for watching Christmas morning with the family.  :)    Gives me a heads up on routine stuff like roots, obstructions, etc, to clear.... or that I will need to dig the whole thing up because its crushed or built out of tar paper (look up "orangeburg pipe", it was a thing back in the 60s!)

If you have any worries about a garage or other building built on top of the sewer you can also get a location. Having to dig up a crushed sewer line under a garage is $$$.

Nathan McIntire · Answer

@John Symanski

Unless it is something you are planning on turning over relatively quickly I typically recommend a general home inspection. When I am inspecting somebody’s house if there are red flags to me such as termite or other insect problems I will pointed out or recommend an additional inspection but in general I feel like it’s my responsibility to at least mention something like that during a general inspection.

Another important factor for a buy and hold property is that when I do a general inspection I will typically test all of your appliances and let you know the age of that appliance so that you can get a ballpark idea of how long that appliance should last you or if you’re going to have to throw money at new appliances in that particular property.

It’s never a bad idea to get a radon inspection, if for nothing else do you have the peace of mind of knowing what radon levels your house is that. Otherwise, any of the additional inspections are kind of at your own discretion.￼￼

Zeke Liston · Answer

That's great John, I've got several properties in South of Main. This home will likely not have a well, so you can mark that off. I don't see many people doing a radon test either. I have a good inspector if you need one.

Brandon Goldsmith · Answer

I agree with some of the others. A general inspection report should solve most of your doubts about a property. @John Symanski

Alex Heidenreich · Answer

I used to go with a basic inspection, but now that I have a few under my belt, I'm leaning more towards just walking the property with my GC. If there is anything I find that worries me, I can order an inspection or just ask my GC about it. It depends on your level of comfort and the condition of the property.

Allen Tracy · Answer

I normally just do a general inspection.  The inspector usually points out if there is termite damage or not.  If there are large trees in the yard I may scope the sewer.

What level of home inspection to get in Columbus

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