You have found your dream home, you have made an offer, and it was accepted. Now it is time for the inspection. This is one of the most important things you need to do, but remember, it doesn’t guarantee everything is going to be ok for a indefinite amount of time. It is basically good for that day only, but it does tell you if there is something major that could effect your decision to buy. It helps you know what you are up against.
This time frame allows you to renegotiate the price, ask for repairs, or even walk away if the inspection comes back badly.
Your agent should have a list of good inspectors that they trust. However, there are a few things you could do to insure you have the right inspector for you.
- Qualifications – find out what’s included in your inspection and order additional types of inspections if needed.
- Sample Reports – Ask the inspector you choose to send you a sample report so you can see how thoroughly they will be inspecting the home.
- References – You can and should ask for references of past clients who can tell you about their experiences.
- Memberships – Not all inspectors belong to a national or state association of home inspectors. While it is not required, membership is these associations often means that continued training and education are provided.
- Errors and Omission Insurance – Find out what the liability of the inspector or inspection company is once the inspection is over. Inspectors are only human and there is always a chance that they could miss something.
Your inspector should be crawling around in the attic or crawlspace, Climbing on the roof, and many other places. The job of the inspector is to protect your investment and find any and all issues with the home. This includes, but is not limited to: the roof, plumbing, electrical components, appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, ventilation, windows, the fireplace and the chimney, the foundation, and much more.
You are not required to have an inspection and many people think they can do them themselves. I would recommend using a professional that has had the proper training and education to inspect your home that you will be living in possible forever.
Use professionals when investing your hard-earned money into a home of your own. Make sure you know everything you need to know so you can make the most educated decision about your purchase.
