Buying an old house may come with a lot of charm, but it also comes with a lot of risk. Unlike brand new homes where everything is in perfect condition, you don't exactly know what's going to be wrong with an old home. Once you have made an offer on the house and it gets accepted, you have what is called your "due diligence." During this time, you can have the home professionally inspected for a variety of different things which can allow you to get out of the sale if you need to. From a traditional inspection to a mold inspection, there are a few different types of things you will want to have looked at. 

1. Traditional Home Inspection

You aren't required to have a home professionally inspected to get a loan, but it may be in your best interest. During a traditional home inspection, the inspector will take a close look at the structure of the house, the roof, the electrical, the plumbing, and the overall integrity of the home. If the inspector does find out that anything big is wrong with the house, you can take the report back to the seller and negotiate for a lower price so that you can have them fixed. 

2. Methamphetamine Testing

Methamphetamine is one of those drugs that a lot of people make in the basement of their home. When this happens, it can create a bunch of toxins that are in the walls and the air. When you are buying a pre-owned house, you may want to have it tested for methamphetamine. If you get a positive report back, then you will have to have the seller have it professionally cleaned so that you aren't moving into an environment that's hazardous. 

3. Residential Mold Inspection

Another thing that can be harmful to breathe in is mold. Hire a residential mold inspection company to tag along with your home inspector to look for any signs of mold. The good thing about mold is that it can be easy to clean up if it's done properly. Another great thing about having a mold inspection is that it can show you signs of other problems like roof leaks in the attic. For instance, if your mold inspector finds mold in the attic then it may be a sign of another problem like a roof leak which you can negotiate with your seller.