There are more than 3,000 components in a home. This includes the pipes, vents, bricks, wood, attics, basements, crawlspaces, kitchen cabinets, and everything else that composes a house. With this amount of parts, a simple walkthrough won’t give you the full story of the quality of the home. That’s why home inspections were created. Getting a trained and certified specialist to comb through the home inch by inch will ensure the home is in good condition. Like most home buying issues, inspections can be a little tricky and there are a few things you need to know about them.
They’re Probably Required
Between closing costs, moving expenses, and the down payment, buying a house isn’t cheap. The price tag of moving can sometimes prompt buyers to skimp or skip on the home inspection. However, these inspections are almost always required by the bank to get a mortgage. They want to make sure they’re not loaning you money for a lemon of a home.
Do Your Research
This is your last chance to find issues with the home before you own it, so don’t just hire any inspector listed in the phonebook. Ask your realtor and friends who recently bought a home who they recommend for the inspection. Make sure they have the proper certifications and licenses and are thoroughly experienced.
Be There
When you schedule the inspection, set it for a time when you can be there for the entire appointment. Follow the inspector around the home so they can show you any issues they find along the way. Doing this will help you understand how severe certain issues are around the home.
Read the Report
Once it’s all said and done, you’ll get a thick stack of papers from the inspector that details their findings. It might seem boring and intimidating, but it’s worth your time to read through the report. If you have any questions, call and ask. A good inspector will be happy to walk you through anything you’re confused about.