Guest houses and casitas are common features on many Arizona properties. They can provide extra space for family, guests, a home office, or other uses, but they are also separate living areas that deserve attention during the home inspection process.
When a property includes a guest house or casita, adding it to the residential inspection can help buyers gain a more complete understanding of what they are purchasing.
A separate structure may contain many of the same types of systems and components found in the main home. Depending on the property, this can include electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, roofing, interior spaces, doors, windows, and other accessible components.
Because these spaces may have been built at a different time than the primary residence, buyers should not automatically assume that their condition will match the rest of the property.
A guest house or casita may also have been updated, remodeled, or used differently over the years. A professional inspection can help identify visible maintenance concerns, defects, or areas that may deserve additional attention.
A guest house or casita can be added to a residential inspection, giving buyers a more complete look at the additional living spaces included with the property.
For buyers looking at homes in Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa, Phoenix, Goodyear, and throughout the greater Phoenix area, these additional structures can represent an important part of the property’s overall usefulness and value.
Including them in the inspection process can also help buyers prepare for future maintenance. Instead of focusing only on the main residence, the buyer receives information about another significant part of the property before closing.
The goal of an inspection is not to assume there is a problem. It is to gather useful information about the condition of accessible areas and components so the buyer can make a more informed decision.
When a property includes more than one living structure, making sure each applicable area is included in the inspection can help create a more complete picture of the home.
To learn more about adding a Guest House or Casita Inspection to a residential home inspection, contact First Step Home Inspectors.