How Buyers Should Approach Home Inspections
Buyers have the option to have a home inspected before they purchase it. Home inspections can reveal a lot of important things, but in order for them to be worth the time and money they cost, buyers need to do these things when utilizing them.
Put in a Contingency Clause
Sometimes, home inspections can reveal a lot of major problems. It could be structural things, or maybe issues with the plumbing. You probably won't want to go through with a purchase on a home that is in bad shape, but you don't want to be penalized by backing out of the deal.
You won't be if you ensure there is a contingency clause in the home purchase agreement showing your right to back out if the home inspection reveals certain things. This contingency clause gives you extra protection, regardless of what the home inspection shows about a property's condition.
Be Realistic About What Could Turn Up
Some home buyers get a little ahead of themselves when thinking about how a home inspection will go. They may think a property is perfect in every way after an initial walkthrough, but the home inspection may show hidden damage.
If you are realistic about what a home inspection could show at the end, then you won't become a disappointed buyer. Instead, you will be ready for what this inspection will show. Then you can think a little more rationally, whether that's going forward with the purchase or finding a home that is in better condition.
Attend Near the End
Home inspections are pretty thorough, and that might mean they could take several hours or even most of the day to complete. So that you're not just standing around waiting as a potential buyer of the property, consider showing up near the end.
The home inspector should give you a window of time that they think they'll be nearly finished. Then you can show up around this time and have the inspector break down some of the more relevant findings. This way, you are able to ask questions about the most important parts of the inspection.
When you buy any sort of residential property, having a home inspection performed is one of the smartest steps you can perform. You'll be even smarter to approach it with purpose so that you have relevant findings necessary to make a great real estate investment you can live with.