Let’s Talk Home Inspections

Let’s talk home inspections. What is it for? Why do I need one? Can I buy a house without one?

A home inspection should be scheduled as soon as you are under contract. A licensed inspector will come out and look at every inch of the home; the walls, cabinets, appliances, floors, crawlspace, plumbing, electrical, etc. You will receive a detailed report of any issues/concerns the inspector found, and what they suggest you can do to fix them. The average cost in my area is 300-500 dollars, and it does depend on the size of the home.

The benefits to having this done is that inspectors pay attention to things you (and even me) may not see when touring the home. They make sure that it is in safe and secure condition before you buy it. When issues are found, as your agent we will decide whether it is best for the sellers to fix or if we can work on it once you move in. There is room for negotiation! I just closed on a home where the sellers paid for certain things to be fixed and provided a year of home warranty coverage. My buyer is doing the rest of the work himself!

While it is not legally required to have this inspection done, it is HIGHLY recommended. This home I just closed had a leak in the bathtub which led to water damage in the crawlspace. Imagine not knowing this and moving into the home! It is always better to know of any issues ahead of time and possibly having them fixed before the keys are yours.