A Home Inspection Can Save You From Buying A House With Hidden Damage You'll Have To Repair
A home inspection is an important part of buying a new house because it gives you one last chance to back out of a home before closing on it for good. If something serious is uncovered on the inspection, you can pass on the house if the owner won't fix the problem, and that can save a lot of money you'd have to pay on repairs later. Here are some things to know about having a home inspection done.
You Pay For The Inspection As A Buyer
The seller of the house might pay for an inspection before they put their home on the market, but you'll need to have another inspection done right before you buy. The inspection is for your benefit, but it might also be required by your mortgage company and your insurance carrier. It's possible one of those companies will refuse to lend or insure a home that has serious problems as found on a home inspection.
A Home Inspection Looks For Major Problems
A home inspection is very detailed, and it can take a few hours to complete. You should be allowed to attend the inspection if you like, but at the least, you'll want your real estate agent to be there. The inspector doesn't bother with cosmetic issues such as peeling paint or stained countertops as you can see these yourself when you tour the home, and they're not major problems.
The inspector may not bother with specialized inspections either, such as using a sewer video camera or testing for radon, lead paint, asbestos, or mold. Learn what the inspector will look for so you understand if you need to have additional tests done for specific concerns you or your lender may have.
A typical inspection for buying a home looks at the major systems in the house and the overall structure of the home. The inspector can spot trouble with appliances, the electrical system, plumbing, the foundation, and pests. They are trained to spot signs of damage around your house caused by a roof or pipe leak.
When the inspection is finished, you'll have a good idea of whether the structure of the house is stable, and if the plumbing and electrical systems are safe. You might also have an idea of how much life is left in the major appliances and roof so you can estimate when the home will need major work done.
A Home Inspection Can Help You Negotiate
Once you have the results of the home inspection, you can decide if your original offer on the house still stands. You may decide the price is too high based on the amount of money needed to make repairs to the problems found by the inspector. The seller may agree to have the problems fixed, but if not, you may decide to look for another home that has fewer problems.
A home inspection often finds problems with homes, but those problems are not always deal-breakers. If you love the home and want to buy it, you may be willing to put up with a few problems and repairs as long as the home is safe to occupy.
To get started or to learn more, reach out to a local home inspection service.
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