Buying a Home? What You Need to Know About Home Inspections
Buying
Buying a home is a huge financial commitment, so it pays to be sure that you’re not winding up with something that will become a money pit after the final papers have been signed. In addition to being a place to live and raise your family, a home is a large investment and one of the best ways to start that investment off on the right foot is to obtain quality home inspections before signing your name on the dotted line. Here’s what prospective buyers need to know about this process:
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is the process by which a licensed home inspector goes through a property with a fine-toothed comb, looking for anything is faulty, dangerous, or in need of repair. Home inspections are crucial for responsible home buying and can save buyers a great deal of money down the road.
What you Need to Know About Home Inspections
As common as they are, home inspections still aren’t very well understood. Here is what every buyer needs to know about the home inspection process:
1. It’s all optional
While home inspections are a smart idea, they’re completely optional. During a sale, the buyer gets to determine which home inspections they want. This is true in virtually every setting except for the purchase of a condo, wherein an association handles the lion’s share of the home maintenance. Some banks also require home inspections in order to grant a mortgage, so it’s wise to look into all of the terms before you decide you don’t need an inspection.
2. It’s your responsibility
As a buyer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the home inspection takes place. This means that you need to find the home inspector, take charge of having the expectations conducted, and pay the cost of doing so. With this in mind, it’s critical to choose an inspector carefully and give yourself plenty of time to complete the inspections before you close the deal. The results of a home inspection may well change the outcome of the sale, so be prepared.
3. Inspectors are required to be certified
When it comes to a home inspection, it’s not enough to have your carpenter friend give the home a once-over. Instead, all home inspectors must be certified according to the county the home is located in.
4. Home inspections look for faulty pieces
The job of a home inspector is to help you understand the potential problems in a home. To do this, an inspector will evaluate the basement, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, floors, ceilings, and walls, and any insulation.
5. You should tag along during the inspection
Buyers are encouraged to attend the home inspection. Doing so provides you with all the information you need about your new home and allows you to ask any questions you may have.
Home inspections are designed to protect buyers during the sale process and knowing what’s included in a home inspection can help buyers proceed more confidently in a sale.
