Properties that are purchased to help produce investment income are usually inspected before initial sale. An inspection happens before homes are listed on the market and some buyers request inspections before closing is complete. Owners of investment property can still benefit from regular home inspections after the initial sale. There are at least 4 reasons to have investment houses inspected every couple of years.
Why Inspections for Investment Houses are Needed
All homes are victims of the natural aging process. Appliances, structures, roofs and interior walls will all eventually need repair at some point during property ownership. What appears to be in working order might be causing issues that only home inspectors are trained to find.
1. Shingles Last 20 Years
Most manufacturers of roofing products place warranties on average wear and tear for roof coverings. Rental homes that are in high humidity locations can have abnormal wear each year. The average lifespan of shingles is currently 20 years. Most builders or home flippers use minimum code products although more expensive types are available that could extend the useful life of shingles.
Home inspectors are trained to inspect the quality of a roof upon visual inspection and when using technological tools. Problems that could be happening invisible to the naked eye can be corrected after inspections are completed.
2. Home Wiring
The average home is inspected only once unless problems happen during the course of ownership for electrical issues. Most homes are passed for inspections and never inspected again. Electrical wiring is not all equal and some codes have changed since homes were inspected. Older wiring can be susceptible to faster deterioration and could be a fire hazard.
A home inspector knows most of the warning signs that are present when electrical wiring is not up to code. Electrical issues could be prevented when routine home inspections are completed for rental homes.
3. Plumbing Systems
The average rental home uses a combination of sewer systems or septic systems for waste removal. The inner networking of pipes that move to and from homes can degrade over time. Pressure tests are one of the common types of tasks performed by home inspectors. Low water pressure could be the sign of pipe deterioration or leaks that could be damaged the walls, sub floor or septic system.
Hiring inspectors every couple of years to inspect plumbing and other water distribution lines could prevent the need for expensive repairs with an investment house.
4. HVAC Systems
Every rental home with a tenant is required by law to have sufficient heating and cooling available. With the average useful life of HVAC systems at under 12 years, most homes already have old units that are being used. High utility bills can cut rental leases short for tenants who become tired of paying too much for heating and cooling.
Regular inspections for heating and cooling systems can ensure that the property is 100 percent up to code and all appliances are working as intended.