Things Buyers Should Understand About Home Inspections

A home inspection is an important part of your search for your next home. In fact, most real estate professionals would recommend that you never buy the dream home without having a home inspection done first. If you neglect this step, you could end up with a nasty surprise or two that might not have been visible when you first toured the home.

But even within home inspections, there are many misconceptions and facts that house hunters simply don’t know, and those factors could trip you up in the end. It’s good to go into your home inspection informed about what exactly it is and what your part might be.

Home Inspections are Your Responsibility, as the Buyer

Think about it: who benefits from this home inspection the most? The person buying the home. So it stands to reason that for the most part, buyers will be responsible for the home inspection. That not only includes the responsibility of choosing an inspector and scheduling the inspection, but the financial responsibility, as well. There may be a few exceptions. Occasionally, when the house is older, your real estate agent may be able to negotiate a deal for you in which the seller covers the home inspection. However, this is a fairly rare occurrence, so as a general rule, you’ll want to count the cost of a home inspection in your budget.

You Need to Go With the Home Inspector for the Inspection

Some homeowners and buyers believe that in ordering a home inspection, they can simply schedule the time and then go about their day while the inspector does their job. You could do it this way, but many inspectors don’t recommend it. After all, you plan to spend a significant amount of time in this house. It can only help you to understand how it operates. Take a couple hours out of your day to accompany the home inspector. They’ll explain what systems the house has, how well they’re working, and what maintenance you might need to do. Sure, you’ll get a report at the end of it all, but that report will be easier to understand if you saw the inspection for yourself.

Home Inspectors Are Not Experts

That’s not to say that home inspectors don’t know what they’re doing when they inspect your home. Typically, home inspectors understand the general workings of the home systems very well. They can tell whether everything is holding up as it should, and they can alert you if there are any serious problems. However, they may not have expert knowledge when it comes to repairing those problem areas. To repair problematic areas of your new home, you’ll need to find someone who deals with that specifically. For instance, if it’s an HVAC problem, you’ll need an HVAC inspector. If you have a leaky roof, you’ll need a roofer. Your home inspector may be an excellent home inspector, but that does not make them an all-purpose handyman.

Yes, You Should Read Your Entire Home Inspection Report

If you attend your home inspection, and you read the summary for your home inspection report, do you really need to read the entire report? The answer is yes. Even if you attended your home inspection, there will be additional information in your home inspection report, as well as additional information not included in your summary. While your home inspector is not an expert, they may have suggestions for maintenance and repairs included in the report, as well as the fullest picture possible of what you’re signing up for. If you have any questions about your home inspection report, contact your home inspector right away and they’ll be happy to answer.

When searching for your dream home, you want to make an informed, supported decision, with the help of a home inspection and an experienced local realtor. Tell your realtor about the findings in the home inspection so she can take it into account during negotiations with the seller.