Purchasing a home is one of the largest investments you will make, so you want to ensure your choice is a good one. Getting a professional's opinion on the mechanical systems and overall condition of a home matters. You want to ensure a home meets fire safety standards and that it measures up to appropriate construction standards. The inspection includes an evaluation of a home's general condition as well as the electrical, plumbing and heating systems are in proper condition.
Pre-sale inspections are an advantage for potential sellers so they can plan ahead for house repairs and upgrades to avoid unexpected costs when their house is placed on the market.
While there is a science to constructing a house depending on the type of house and the year it was constructed, each home is different. The answer will come with the inspection.
Usually a visual inspection will suffice. However, in some situations mold is not always visable. In addition, some people are more suceptible to mold than others. For these reasons mold testing by a certified inspector is recommended.
Radon is a radioactive gas that can be found in many homes. It can not be seen, smelled, or tasted, and is linked to lung cancer. Testing is the only way to find out what a home's radon levels are. Read more about Radon.
Access is necessary for visual inspection of a home. In the situation of a finished basement it would be difficult to inspect behind the basement walls.