You’ve done it. You’ve found it. After viewing countless properties you have finally found the ideal home for your family. You’ve made an offer, and the seller has accepted it!
You just need to get the house inspected.
It might seem like a formality. This might feel like something you are expected do. A home inspection is an important step in the buying process. A professional inspection will help you determine the condition of your investment.
Most people have little experience with home inspections. What is a home inspection? What will happen if the home fails inspection? Are we going to miss out on a house just because we asked for an inspection.
We have put together 9 tips on home inspection for buyers to help you better understand the process and also what to expect from the report. Read more info about – Home inspection in Summerlin NV.
1. Include the inspection in the contract.
Talk to your real estate agent and ask how you can include a home inspection in any offer that you make on a property.
A contingency clause is usually added to an offer or contract for a home. This allows the buyer to back out or renegotiate the price if a problem is found during the inspection.
This clause specifies a time period in which you must have the home inspected.
Do not worry that you might scare off the seller. Before closing, the vast majority of homes are inspected. Home sellers should expect to be asked to have their home inspected prior closing. This could be a sign that the seller is trying to hide problems in their home.
2. Do not hire the lowest-priced inspector.
Home inspections are designed to protect you, the buyer, from buying a house with serious issues.
You might think that you have to go through an inspection before you get to the fun stuff. This is not something you want someone to just rubber stamp their approval. You need a professional that will take the time to do their job right.
When it’s time to hire an inspector for your home, hire someone who you can trust. You can ask your family and friends for recommendations, as well as your real estate agent. Verify that they are insured and licensed to perform the services you have hired them for. You can also ask to see an example report to get a better idea of how detailed the reports are.
You need a professional, experienced inspector who knows their job. It would be a waste of money to do anything else.
3. Checklist for Pre-Inspection
You should make sure your professional inspection is performed by…professionals! It doesn’t necessarily mean that you, the home buyer, shouldn’t be involved. You should participate in the inspection. This requires some work before the inspection.
Do a visual inspection yourself. If you like, consider it a pre-inspection. Mention any cracks, curling shingles, gurgling pipe, or other anomalies to your home inspector. They will take a closer inspection. It’s good to have a general feel for the house and property.
You can also create a checklist for the things that you need to address. These items could include the foundation and roof, as well as the electrical panel, air conditioner, plumbing and appliances, doors, windows, driveway and garage.
You shouldn’t assume that the area of concern will be covered automatically by an inspection.
4. During Inspection
Attending the home inspection is one of the most crucial tips for a successful inspection. It might be inconvenient to leave work for several hours but it’s worth it.
You’ll need a checklist, as we have already mentioned. You can walk around the area and note anything that seems suspicious. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t miss the chance to learn about your new home. Take lots of photos. Take as many photos as possible. All of these pictures will be used to create a record about the current state of your home.
You should also avoid putting yourself or anyone else in danger by getting in the way of an inspector. If you cannot attend the inspection, arrange a time to speak to the inspector and go over the report.
5. You can also order extra tests and inspections.
The typical home inspection will cover many areas. However, sometimes it is necessary to perform a more specific inspection or test. It could be a mold test or a termite check. It may be necessary to call in a specialist for certain areas, such as plumbing, electrical or HVAC systems.
Remember that extra tests and inspections don’t mean the property is unsafe or a bad investment. This means a closer inspection is required. Don’t be afraid if a specialist recommends you consult one. Don’t ignore problems. This could prove to be a costly mistake.
6. Do not expect a perfect review.
Your home inspection report is not perfect.
It would be unrealistic to expect that everything will work perfectly after the inspection. Remember that the report’s purpose is to provide an accurate evaluation of the state of your home.
This is NOT an “achieve or fail” test. It is normal to find some, if no more than a few, defects during an inspection. It’s important to determine which ones are minor and which are serious issues that require attention.
7. Read and understand the report.
The home inspection report will contain a lot of information and can be somewhat intimidating–especially for first time home buyers. It’s important to carefully read the report, noting both the areas of improvement and the defects.
No matter if your home is brand-new construction , 30 years old or 10 years old. There’s a good chance that something will be identified in the report.
You should be able to read and understand the document. Have the inspector explain to you what each word means. Ask your real estate agent if they believe they can make the seller pay for these issues, or if you have major issues you would like to be addressed before purchasing the house.
If you don’t know what the report contains, it’s impossible to make an informed decision.
8. What should you fix, what should you get credit for and what should you leave alone?
For every defect found during an inspection, there are three main options. You can ask the seller to make repairs before closing or ask for a discount on the purchase price so you can do the work yourself.
You may decide not to bring up most issues. Will you walk away from the sale over a lightbulb that needs to changed?
Inspections can sometimes reveal major structural problems. You have the right to ask that the seller either performs the repairs or reduces the asking price to allow you to pay for them.
Remember that the seller has the right to reject the offer, which could lead to the deal falling through. It’s up to you to decide if losing the house or having to pay the repairs yourself would be worse. If an inspection uncovers serious problems, do not ignore them in the hope that they will disappear on their own.
9. Re-inspect all repairs.
Many people overlook the last tip in our home inspection guide.
Check the repairs if the seller has agreed to make them. You can ask for receipts as proof that repairs have been made, but you should also send your inspector back to the site to ensure everything has been done correctly. You need to ensure that the seller did not cut corners or try to fix it themselves without doing it correctly.
This might be an additional cost to you, but it is one well worth it . It could save you from a much larger expense in the future.
The conclusion of the article is:
A professional home inspection is a crucial step for any potential buyer. With these tips on home inspection for buyers, hopefully you will be able get the most from the process and feel confident in your investment.
AKAMAI Structural Inspector LLC has more than 40 years experience in commercial and residential inspections. We have general contracting, engineering and other licenses. We know how to inspect for things that could save you thousands in repair costs.
We can provide a detailed and accurate assessment of the condition of your new home.
