A Home Inspection Could Save You From Buying A House That Has Hidden Problems That Need Repairs
If you're buying your first home, you may not be sure how a home inspection works. You know it's part of the home buying process, but you may not know many details. Below is some information about having a home inspection that might clear up some of your questions and concerns.
A Home Inspection Is Done Right Before You Buy
An inspection is one of the final steps in buying a new home. You put in an offer on the house and the seller accepts it. Then the home inspection is done. Since both you and the seller have already agreed on the transaction, you may wonder what happens if the inspection turns up a major problem.
The contract for buying your home should contain a contingency clause that allows you to back out of the sale if problems are found during the inspection. This is a routine process that protects you as a buyer. You can either back out of the sale or negotiate with the seller to make the repairs needed. As the potential buyer, you're responsible for choosing the inspector and paying for the inspection.
The Inspector Checks Accessible Areas
A home inspection is a thorough process that covers all the major systems in your house as well as the condition of the home. However, the inspector usually checks things that are easily accessible. For instance, they might check for water leaks and water pressure to test the home's plumbing, but they probably won't do a video inspection of the sewer drain.
An inspector gathers enough information to let you know if there are signs that warrant a separate inspection for termites, HVAC problems, or septic tank issues. The inspector goes through every room in the home in a slow process that could take a few hours. You should attend the inspection if possible since you'll learn a lot about the home as the inspection unfolds.
You'll Be Given An Inspection Report
A home inspection usually turns up problems since even minor problems are included in the report. It's the major problems that are cause for concern. The report will lay out problems with the structure of the home and the condition of materials such as siding and roofing. The report also includes minor repairs needed as well as major work that should be done fairly soon.
A home inspection report gives you a good idea about the repairs the home will need shortly after you buy it. If the home needs a lot of work, the price of your home raises significantly, and you may decide the house isn't worth the cost.