Peace of mind means home inspections!

So you’ve found a slice of Paradise nestled by the Caribbean Sea: Sun. Sand. Siestas! Don’t you want to make sure that your island home is perfect?

We know buying a home is largely an emotional experience. Sometimes, it’s love at first sight. Sometimes, it takes time to fall in love with a property, but quite often, love is blind and ​many newcomers to Punta Cana fall in love with a property and overlook the important details and unseen conditions about it.

From ​leaky foundations, deteriorated plumbing, worn-out heating system to dangerous wiring, and the list goes on, these details are ​potentially a hugely costly mistake. ​This is why home inspections are an essential component of real estate transactions for buyers, sellers, and realtors.

Also, home inspections are one of the main steps in all the ​legal steps​ one has to take before getting into the business of buying or selling a home. ​Whether you are looking for a previously owned or a brand new home or you’re selling a property, an inspection provides insight into the condition of the home you are buying​ – also, ​peace of mind​!- and, on the other hand, allows the seller of a home to showcase the good things about their home to the potential buyer and maybe generate a higher price.

In essence, home inspections are a visual examination of a house and property that will help you find the home that is right for you and alert you to any potential concerns or problems prior to closing the deal.

Generally, when performed by a qualified professional, a home inspection includes the following:

a thorough visual inspection of the structure (inside and out, from roof to foundation);

an examination of major systems (plumbing, electrical, cooling);

an objective evaluation of the condition of all visible items;

a report (written or printed) covering all findings and identifying potential concerns But, there are three important parts of a home inspection you must take into account when performing one. Our expert, architect Ana María Núñez, called them the three C’s: costs, concerns and code.

Costs

“A quality home inspection can reveal crucial information about the condition of a home,” advises Ana, “you will know what repairs and maintenance the home needs, and this might affect how much you are willing to pay for the house.”

A Home Inspection for a House or Condo in Punta Cana can be done starting from USD$750.00 depending on the size. On the other had, for buildings and clusters, the price is to be evaluated.

We really recommend that you see this as an investment: spend now and avoid major financial problems in the future. They might be the best USD$750.00 you’ve ever spent!

Concerns

Is there asbestos in the house? Or a mold problem? How secure is the foundation? These are all questions you need to ask before purchasing any property. “All houses come with wear and tear, but a proper home inspection will reveal any serious health or safety hazards,” says Ana.

Code

Is the house built to local standards? Have additions been put on, or structural alterations made that do not meet construction code? Did the owner get all the proper permits to make any alterations to the house? “It’s vital that you protect yourself and make sure you’re not taking on any unwanted liability,” says Ana María.

At Canablue we think home inspection are honestly the wisest thing you can do before you invest. Forget love at first sight, love isn’t blind in real estate matters.

We’d love to talk to you! Ask us anything about home inspections or anything related to all the steps towards buying or selling properties in the Bávaro or Punta Cana area.

We make real estate ​easy!​