Home Inspections

the importance of getting Home Inspections

Home Inspections are one of the most affordable parts of buying a home

If you’ve recently thought of purchasing a home in today’s hot housing market, you’ve probably heard of homebuyers waiving a home investigation to close the deal rather than another buyer getting the home. Although skipping a Home Inspections may protect you from bidding too much above the home’s market value, without a Home Inspections, you won’t see potential flaws that can snowball into major issues later on.

With those points in mind, the details below will help you understand why Home Inspections are important and how home inspections can save you money in the long run.

Home Inspections typically only cost a few hundred dollars and are completed in a manner of hours. While real estate agents are able to spot obvious flaws that clearly seem out of place, home inspectors focus on things behind the scenes, such as:

• Roof damage: Worn shingles and having too few or too many layers on the roof
• Foundation problems: Gaps between house and trim, large cracks in mortar
• Broken electrical systems: Due to wiring that has gone past its useful lifespan
• Home infestations: Termites, ants, bees, and other harmful pests housed in hidden spots
• Presence of asbestos: A harmful chemical frequently used in older construction that is frequently in pipes and insulation

By catching these major issues before making an offer, you’ll save thousands of dollars by catching issues before they become more severe overtime, and you won’t be paying for the repairs out of pocket. At the very least you can use a home inspection report to negotiate a discount on the home you’re looking to purchase.

What to expect during the home inspection process

1. Are there any major functional defects such as appliances not functioning properly or outlets that don’t work?
2. Are there any material defects in the property, such as holes in walls, cracks in the foundation, signs of moisture intrusion, or sagging ceiling materials?
3. Are there any health and safety concerns such as missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, trip hazards, signs of mold or bacterial growth, or loose stair railings?

Home Inspections typically consist of a 1-4 hour onsite visit and is a non-invasive process that doesn’t entail tearing down walls and dismantling devices. The inspector only performs a visual inspection of the interior, exterior, electrical system, roof, and other property components. If something is hidden, covered by the ceiling, flooring, or bulky furniture, the inspector won’t be able to examine it, and they won’t assume responsibility for it.

After the initial on-site visit, home inspectors then document their findings in a thorough report containing general information about the house, the property’s condition, the state of each system and component, and notes on each issue that affects the core functioning or safety of the home. The documents also contain annotated pictures to help buyers and sellers understand the scope of the issue.

After the Home Inspections is complete, buyers can adjust their offer accordingly and rest assured that they have done the right due diligence before purchasing their home.