What to Expect During a Home Inspection for Buyers

When buying a house, there are a lot of things you have to think about. One of them is a home inspection.

What is a Home Inspection?

At a basic level, a home inspection is a visual assessment of the house. It covers the physical structure and mechanical systems, including plumbing and electrical.

Its purpose is to look for problems with the home that might need attention or repairs. The inspector will provide a report that reveals any issues, and you can then make a determination of whether any of them are deal killers. Homes do not generally “fail” inspection, it’s more a case of whether the problems found are something you are willing to fix. Few homes have no problems whatsoever.

Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?

The most important reason to get a home inspection is to avoid nasty surprises later. For example, let’s say you buy a house in the summer. Fall comes, it starts raining heavily and then you discover that the roof leaks… There are, however, some other reasons:

You may be able to use issues when negotiating the final price. If the home inspector discovers that the deck is close to needing replacement, for example, something which can cost thousands of dollars, this can be ammunition against the seller.
You may be able to get the seller to fix the problem before they leave. If the seller is listing the home “as is,” then they’re unlikely to budge. However, they may be willing to fix a problem.
It gives you a useful to-do list to get the home exactly the way you want it. This is one reason why you should be present during the home inspection, so the inspector can not just list problems but show you. Inspectors won’t go into the walls or inside appliances, but they can point out sockets that need to be rewired or doors that need to be rehung. The inspection report may also include things like their guess as to how long the furnace will continue to work.
Your lender may require you to get a third-party inspection for your loan. (It’s more common for lenders to require an appraisal, but some do ask for an inspection).

What Happens During the Inspection

A home inspection generally takes several hours and you should plan on being present if at all possible. They will take notes and may also take pictures, and they will point out the issues to you in real-time. Be aware that home inspectors don’t care about building codes or aesthetics. It is, however, worth mentioning if you have young children or pets; an inspector may spot child safety issues you did not.

During the inspection, they will look at the roof, foundation, electrical system, HVAC system, plumbing, and evidence of water damage. He will also look at installed systems; this is anything attached to the home, such as sump pumps. What they look at may be affected by the local climate and the age of the home.

Afterward, the inspector will prepare an extensive report. This report will include their estimate of the remaining useful life of systems and equipment, any repairs or replacement they recommend, and their notes on what they have seen. You can then take this report to future meetings with the seller and/or keep it as a repair checklist for your new home.

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?

Home inspections are at the discretion and expense of buyers. Sellers may also get a home inspection done so they can fix issues before selling, but even if they do, always get your own home inspection.

The cost of the inspection varies by location but is typically $300 to $500. Larger homes generally take longer to inspect, and thus take more. This fee may be paid at the time or included in closing costs.

You should definitely get a home inspection done when buying a home. It will help you decide whether to go ahead with the purchase but can be even more useful for negotiating with the seller or helping you prioritize any work done after you buy the home. To find out more about home inspections and other aspects of the buying process, contact Signature Properties Group today.