What to Expect During a Luxury Home Inspection

Luxury homes in real estate have slightly different rules than an average residence, whether these rules are explicitly stated or understood by both buyers and sellers. Luxury homes are not only larger than other homes, they often include complicated characteristics and systems that need to be thoroughly verified before moving forward with a home sale. Before a buyer decides on an inspector, they need to verify that they have specialized knowledge of luxury homes. Learn more about what to look for before hiring an official inspector.

Total Investigation

Buyers want to know about anything that may affect their finances in the future, so a home inspector is there to get the answers. They're not interested in whether or not the walls of the home match the floors, but they are concerned with just about everything else. Home inspectors are meant to look at the full property, from top to bottom and front to back. This includes all of the amenities a home has, such as a pool or guest house, as well as all of the internal and external systems as well.

Foundation

Cracks in a foundation may be the normal result of settling in a home, or they could be a sign that the house is on the brink of partial collapse. A luxury home inspector can tell the buyer more about what they can expect in the next ten to fifteen years when it comes to the strength and stability of the home. If the home is located in an area prone to earthquakes, inspectors can include recommendations if the home needs to be retrofitted to survive a major natural disaster.

Electrical Wiring

From the bedrooms to the garage to the basement, luxury homes have complex electrical systems that need to be checked by a home inspector. Considering luxury homes may have everything from greenhouses on the property to a home movie theater room (complete with an old-school projector), inspectors have their work cut out for them. Not only will the test all of the outlets in the home, they may check all of the appliances as well. Damage to appliances may signify an electrical malfunction.

Plumbing

Luxury homes have so much space that it's not uncommon for plumbing issues to go unnoticed for months (or even longer). For instance, if the drainage is poor in the basement, there could be water damage that sits undisturbed until someone finally makes a trek into the affected area. Sellers may not even realize they're selling a home with clogged or eroded pipes. An inspector is there to check all of the pipes in the home, so buyers know what they're getting into. Whether there are problems in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, or even at the home bar, they're there to evaluate the state of the plumbing.

Windows and Roofs

New buyers are concerned about just how well their Glendwild home protects them from the elements, which is why inspectors will specifically test everything from the windows and doors to the roof. They're checking for wear and tear, as well as any cracks that may cause heating or cooling bills to skyrocket down the line. The roof, in particular, is one part of the home that is often ignored by sellers simply due to its accessibility. Inspectors will look for leaks and tears in the roof as well as shingle damage, which can be common in older luxury homes.