A “dream home” will never stop being something we work towards and want for ourselves one day. However, you must inspect and verify your potential dream home before signing on the dotted line.
Only then do you have an assurance that the time, effort, and money you invest in your new home is all worth it. To help you understand why a home inspection is an essential part of the home buying process, we have summarized the top reasons for getting one.
Reasons Home Inspections Are Necessary
To determine the areas that need replacement or repair
A key reason why you need a home inspection is to understand which areas or things need replacement or repair. An inspector will evaluate the home exterior, structure, plumbing, roofing, heating and air conditioning, electrical, ventilation, interiors, fireplaces, insulation, and more.
A good inspector will provide you with a detailed report on all these areas. Be sure to ask your inspector what they include in their assessment.
Watch out for low prices offer that entails very little in the base report. In all likelihood, you will have to pay more to get essential parts of your home inspected. Instead, focus on home inspectors that offer a comprehensive home inspection for one realistic price.
To ensure the safety of your family
Potentially dangerous problems won’t be noticeable until it’s too late and damage occurs. Unfortunately, stories of collapsing roofs or foundations giving way in Texas homes are far too widespread.
As a home buyer, you have to contend with the unfortunate reality that some homeowners will purposely attempt to hide dangerous, lurking problems to avoid paying for repairs themselves. Take a look at these problems some owners may try to hide.
On another note, if you’re trying to rent out the property to tenants it’s crucial you make sure the home is in good condition before doing so. Otherwise, you may face legal liability issues if something were to go wrong.
Stress-free experience
You really can’t put a price on knowing that you are buying a house that won’t require thousands of dollars worth of repairs soon after you move in (or maybe you can). With the help of a home inspection, you can eliminate this unnecessary stress and worry.
On the other hand, if your inspection unveils significant issues, take comfort in the fact that you caught them before handing over money. That gives you the chance to renegotiate the sales price, have the owner perform the repairs, or walk away from the deal.
You will pay a fair price for the condition of the property
Another advantage of conducting a home inspection is that it increases the chances of agreeing on a fair and reasonable price. With all the cards on the table, you can make an informed decision whether the final price is fair or not.
Understand valid repair and replacement costs
By thoroughly inspecting each area of your potential new home, you will know everything there is to know about its condition, what needs repairing or replacement, and any associated costs.
You may decide you are prepared to accept some damage because you have a clear picture of what it will cost to make necessary upgrades. Often, homebuyers who want to do some DIY can save a lot of money by repairing it themselves and agreeing on a reduced price.
Those are some key reasons why you need to get a buyer’s home inspection. When hiring a home inspector, analyze what you expect! Look at their reviews, ask for referrals from friends and family. The following tips will help you hire the best home inspector for your needs.
Choosing the best home inspector
In choosing the right home inspector, consider the following ideas:
- Insured and licensed: Make sure to hire an insured and licensed home inspector. It is non-negotiable.
- Practical cost: Professional home inspectors provide their service at a reasonable cost. Check a few prices in your market, and you will soon get a sense of a fair market rate.
- Experience: Do they have the experience and knowledge of inspecting residential homes or the same era and style you want?
Why a house’s foundation is a ‘must inspect’ item
Your home’s foundation is the bedrock of your potential new home. Foundation issues can have an exponentially negative impact on other areas of your house. If a foundation cracks or gives way, it can take roofs and walls with it. For this reason, a foundation inspection is critical.
Given the excessive importance of a structurally sound foundation, not all home inspectors include a foundation inspection. Be sure to include foundation inspection. If your home inspector asks for a pretty premium for doing so, perhaps start looking for a different property inspection company.
We would worry about any firm that does not include a foundation inspection in a base level inspection package. Foundation repairs can be rigorous. As a result, it can be costly. So uncovering any problems before you agree on the terms with the seller is highly advantageous.
Conclusion
Buying your dream home is exciting. And more than likely, it is a considerable financial investment too.
Don’t risk having your dream home experience ruined. Invest a little in quality and thorough home inspection from a reputable local inspector, and rest easy knowing you are going into the deal with complete transparency.