You’re not the only one who is thinking of the time and effort it takes to hire movers or attend the closing. Before you complete the home-buying procedure, order a home examination.
Some buyers decide to skip the home inspection, particularly if they are in a rush. So, is hiring a home inspector important?
Yes. We’d even argue that it is crucial.
This post will cover the basics of home inspections, why they are necessary, and how you can hire the best home inspector to suit your needs.
What is a home inspector?
Home inspectors evaluate a property’s systems and structure. They look for problems that may need fixing, such as broken circuit breakers or a collapsed roof. But their main priority is finding safety hazards.
The visual inspection may take between 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the property. The home inspector will then send you the report.
You will review the report as a buyer and make your own decisions about the property. The inspector will not decide whether the home is “passed” or “failed.” Every house has possible issues, and even new construction may have imperfections.
Ask the seller to fix certain issues before you proceed with the purchase
Ask for a credit or discount at the closing to cover the cost of repairs
The report contains facts about the condition of the home at the time the inspection was conducted. Once you have these facts, you can decide what you want to do.
Home inspectors can help you save money on your home purchase
Most buyers include a contingency in their purchase agreement. This is also known as “due diligence.” You can use a home inspection contingency to locate an inspector. Then, you can schedule an inspection and receive the inspector’s findings.
What if you are strapped for money?
You have already spent most of your savings on a down payment and know that you will need to spend several thousand dollars more on closing expenses. It’s also not cheap to move. Should you spend $300 to $600 on a house inspection, especially if the home is newer and appears in good condition?
Compare the cost of two scenarios: one with and one without a home inspection.
Scenario #1: Juan hires an inspector to inspect his home for $500. He gets a full report that outlines a few minor defects. Juan’s inspector says that he expects the roof to need replacing in a year or two. Juan’s agent then negotiates with the seller a credit for closing costs to cover a portion of the cost. Juan’s $500 inspection investment saves him $3,000 in closing costs. He can also plan and save money for a roof replacement.
Scenario 1: Michael decides to skip the home inspection to purchase his new house. After moving into his new home, heavy rains flood the basement. Michael discovers that the foundation has significant cracks, which have allowed water and mold damage to seep through the walls. Michael is quoted $15,000 for repairs to the foundation and walls. Michael must be feeling some buyer’s remorse.
You may not want to hire another real estate agent between now and the closing date, but you will be grateful if he finds a serious problem that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.
How to choose a trustworthy home inspector
There is no standard set for home inspection certification in every state.
Some states do not require a license, while others have one. Some states require continuing education to keep a license valid, but others don’t. Check out to find out the specific rules in your state.
There is no one way to find a home inspector who has excelled.
Verify that the inspector has a valid license and is insured and bonded.
Be sure that your inspector is certified and licensed if your state has such requirements. If they do not carry errors and omissions insurance, then any issues that arise from their mistakes or oversights in the inspection report are your sole responsibility.
Find a home inspection company that is registered with a professional organization.
Professional home inspector organizations, such as the International Association of Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), require applicants to pass certain tests and have a specified amount of experience in the field before they can join. Thus, you can rest assured that if you hire someone who is a member, they are a professional.
Find an inspector with additional certifications.
Does the home inspector provide specialized services to test for common problems in your area? For example, a termite inspection or a WDO/septic system? They’re more likely to do the extra work for you if they have done additional work in order to be able to offer a thorough inspection to their clients.
Look for a home inspection company that uses high-quality software.
Home inspection software is a great alternative to the handwritten reports of old-school inspectors. It offers many advantages that are difficult to match today. Software has many benefits, including:
Expandable digital photo and video
Templates and time-saving features allow for faster turnaround of reports
Reports that are easy to navigate and professional
The create request list(TM) for buyers and agents allows you to easily review issues with your agent and add them to the repair amendment in the sales contract.
Look for an inspector who is serious about their work. Use HomeGauge’s Locate a Home Inspector tool for finding the best home inspectors near you.
What to look out for when selecting a home inspection service
After you have made a list of possible inspectors, call them to inquire about their services. Ask for more than their price. You can narrow down your search by asking the right question.
Can I attend the inspection? Buyers and their agents are advised to participate in the inspection’s end to hear the inspector’s conclusions first-hand. The inspector may be trying to save money if they prefer to work alone.
How long will the inspection take to complete? If the inspector estimates less than two hours, it is possible that they are not used to being thorough.
Do you have references? You should look elsewhere if they cannot provide you with several satisfied clients.
Do you have a sample report that I can look at? You can learn about their style of reporting and whether or not they thoroughly inspect every aspect of the property by looking at a sample report.
Signing a contract for a home inspection
After you have chosen an inspector, you and the inspector will sign a pre-inspection agreement or contract that details the scope and expectations of the inspection.
Inspectors are required to sign an agreement before completing any part of the inspection to ensure that they are covered by insurance. This agreement protects them against lawsuits and ensures that their insurance is complete.
The agreement should also include the payment arrangements and a list of all the components that the inspector will inspect. It may also contain a statute of limitations requiring the client to file any complaints within one year after the inspection (for instance, if the inspector missed asbestos).
Before signing the contract, make sure to read the entire document to understand the specific services included.
A home inspection is a vital step when buying a house
It’s a bad decision to skip the inspection of your new house, even if you are in a rush to move into it.
Home inspectors are responsible for inspecting the visible parts of a property. The inspection report gives you an overall picture of the condition of your new house. You may not be aware of hidden safety issues or repairs if you don’t have an inspection.
If you are not an expert in real estate or construction, it is best to hire a home inspector who has the skills and expertise to give you a comprehensive, neutral report.
After all, purchasing a house is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your lifetime. A home inspection is worth its cost and time.
