The most common inspections required before buying a house in Florida are the general Home Inspection, 4 Point Inspection, Wind Mitigation Inspection, and WDO Inspection. Exactly which of these inspections you will need before buying a home can depend on the type of loan you were approved for, the age of the home, and the location. In this blog post, we will help you determine which inspections you will need before buying a house in Florida.
Home Inspection
Everyone buying a home should have a professional home inspection performed on the home. The home inspection is an in-depth visual examination of all the systems and components in the home. During the home inspection, home inspectors are looking for defects that could affect the safety of your family or the value of your home. A typical home inspection evaluates the condition of the roof, attic, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior, exterior, and garage.
After the home inspection, the home inspector will provide you with a written report detailing the condition of the home. The inspection report will also include pictures and descriptions of the defects found during the home inspection.
As a home buyer, it’s important to understand the condition of your home before deciding to buy it. Some homes have serious safety issues like Chinese drywall and aluminum wiring that can negatively impact the people living in the home.
4 Point Inspection
4 Point Inspections are required for homes over 30 years of age to obtain a new insurance policy to renew an existing one. These inspections focus on four main areas of the home: the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Most of the information gathered during a 4 point inspection pertains to the age and the condition of the four points.
A system that is beyond its serviceable lifespan or in poor working condition may result in higher insurance costs.
Wind Mitigation Inspection
Wind Mitigation Inspections are typically not required but highly recommended. These inspections look for construction features that have been proven to reduce losses during a hurricane. Homes with wind resistant features can qualify for discounts on the wind-storm portion of your insurance policy.
Calculate your estimated savings using the Florida Wind Insurance Savings Calculator.
WDO Inspection
Wood-destroying organism inspections, or WDO inspections, are required depending on the type of loan you were approved for. In general, homes bought using a VA loan or a FHA loan will require a WDO inspection.
It might be a good idea to have one of these inspections performed even if your lender doesn’t require it. WDO inspections look for signs of wood-destroying organisms such as termites which account for $1 billion per year in property damage.
WDO inspections have to be performed by a pest control company. Home Inspectors cannot perform WDO inspections in Florida without having a pest control license.