Buying a home is an exciting adventure, but it can quickly turn into a challenge if the home becomes a money trap with unforeseen repairs and issues. There are ways to avoid this potential headache by using these five tips for getting the most out of your home inspection.
Do a Pre-inspection
You can learn so much about a home just by doing your own amatuer sleuthing. Look at the walls, ceiling, roof, garage, basement, etc for water damage, cracks, mold, and wear due to age. Test all the light switches and outlets to make sure the electrical layout works. On the outside of the home look for areas with peeling paint, degradation caused by drainage problems, and the integrity of the surrounding walls or fencing. Recording your own observations will give you something to work with when the inspector arrives for the formal inspection.
Research Inspectors
Always do your research when it comes to home inspectors. Even if you have to pay a little more for a quality inspector, when compared to the amount of money you could spend on repairs if you purchase a home with big problems, it is well worth it. Homeinspector.org is a great way to search for top-notch home inspectors in your area. As your agent, I can also help connect you with a number of great local inspectors.
Be There for Your Inspection
Make sure you are there for the home inspection and ask questions. If there are specific issues or concerns you have, point those out to the inspector to have them check further into them. This will be the first time the inspector looks at the home, so the knowledge you have of issues may be indelible to getting a quality home inspection. Not sure what to ask? Here are some questions to keep in mind.
Ask Questions
A home inspector has all of the knowledge and necessary information to evaluate what issues a property has and whether the home is a good buy or not. While you should respect the inspector’s time and expertise, it is okay to raise questions if something doesn’t look right, or if the inspector is unclear when describing their observations. Trust your gut. It is better to ask questions now than later after you have purchased the home.
Take Pictures
A good home inspector will bring a camera to the inspection. The inspector will also check areas of the home you may not want to go, such as crawl spaces, the roof, attic, etc. Ask your inspector to take photos of the places so that you can see the issue yourself and to ensure you fully understand the problem. Infrared and thermal cameras will offer a look behind walls and floors for an even more precise inspection.
A good, quality home inspection can make all the difference when buying a home. After purchasing your home, you don’t want to find yourself making unexpected repairs when you should be picking out paint colors and new furniture. If you have any questions about home inspections or inspectors in our area, I’d love to hear from you!
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