Have the Chimney Inspected Before You Buy or Sell a Home
The process of buying or selling a home can be stressful. Between finding a real estate agent, going to showings, hosting open houses, packing, keeping the house clean, and working with banks and lenders, most homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of things that need to be done.
One important step in the buying and selling process for any home is having a chimney inspection. While they should be done annually, chimney inspections are an excellent way for sellers as well as prospective buyers to have a better understanding of the condition of the home’s chimney and fireplace.
Chimney inspections for sellers
Fireplaces are a classic feature that many buyers want to have in their new homes. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 40% of home buyers said they would pay extra for a home that had at least one fireplace. Because of this, having a well maintained and working fireplace can add value to your home and help set it apart from similar listings.
Before you put your home on the market, consider having your chimney swept and inspected. In addition to getting your fireplace system in tip-top shape, a chimney inspection can also let you know of any damage or potential hazards to the chimney. If any problems are identified they can be fixed as soon as possible. Repairing the chimney not only makes buyers feel more comfortable purchasing the home, but also helps prevent the occurrence of any unwelcome “surprises” during the home inspection.
Having a recent report by a certified chimney sweep as to the condition of the chimney is an excellent way to help prospective buyers feel more comfortable about the state of the fireplace system. Likewise, if your chimney has been damaged in any way while you have owned the home (such as a chimney fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster) a chimney inspection may be a requirement. Level 2 chimney inspections, which include an inspection of the interior and exterior fireplace and chimney as well as the use of close circuit cameras, are required before the sale or transfer of a property in the case of chimney damage.
Chimney inspections for Buyers
As a buyer, finding the perfect home for you and your family can be difficult. Even if you think you’ve found “the one,” underlying issues can still cause the sale to fall through. Because of this, many buyers choose to have a chimney inspection in addition to the regular home inspection.
Even if the sellers are providing a report from a chimney sweep, you may want to hire your own company to inspect the chimney independently. This way, you can be assured of the validity of the original report as well as choosing the professionals who do the inspection. In addition, having two sets of eyes inspect a chimney may uncover issues that were not previously seen, especially if the house has been on the market for a long period of time. Issues uncovered in the chimney inspection can then be addressed before the sale is finalized.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is important to have your chimney inspected. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan [https://www.cleansweeps.com//contact-us/] today to schedule your chimney inspection.