Buying a home is a crucial life decision that is nearly impossible to retract. Therefore, the decision has to be right, one you will not regret when home buying. A home inspection is a critical part of a home buying process; it reveals if a home is up to code. Even though hiring a home inspector is optional when shopping for a home, it is imperative to your homeownership journey.
The main reason to hire a professional home inspector is to protect your financial interest. They will ascertain if you are making a sound investment or prevent you from making a terrible one. A home inspection is your one opportunity to assess the true condition of a potential home. An inspector will examine the structure of the property, its foundation, the roof and all systems. As a result, they will locate actual and possible issues, most of which a nonprofessional would never notice. In doing so, a home inspector will save you a fortune in the future.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON INSPECTION DAY
The inspector will conduct a thorough home inspection starting with an extensive initial site evaluation. Once done, they should take you on tour to point out assets and any potential problems. The assessment should cover all major mechanical systems, structural integrity, decorative features, and other aspects of the home.
An exhaustive inspection will reveal roof leaks, wiring issues, failed septic system, water entry, poor plumbing, mold and mildew, wet basements, safety hazards, and similar problems. Some of the issues could be minor, but others extremely serious. So, pay attention and be sure to ask questions.
Once the inspection is complete, you will receive a report. Usually, the report contains photographs, descriptions of damages or defects, and details on the location of the damages. An elaborate report accompanied by visual proofs plays a critical role in getting a clear picture of the scope of the problems.
REASONS TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTOR
A home inspection is a particularly complicated affair yet, an indispensable process in home buying. You could try and do it yourself, but you may not have the expertise to identify issues in the electrical system, plumbing, structure, heating and cooling system, and other aspects of a home. Professional home inspectors are trained, certified, and immensely experienced in dealing with every nature and size of work in home inspection. Here are reasons you should consider hiring a home inspector.
GUARANTEE SAFETY
When homebuying, you want to ensure a prospective property is safe. It should be free from carbon monoxide leaks, faulty AC systems, water leaks, old wiring, or other risks and hazards that can jeopardize your health and your family’s wellbeing. Home inspectors understand that safety is paramount; they will take the necessary steps to ensure safety and prevent you from taking any chances before signing the deal.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
You can either make a wise investment or a bad one when buying a home. A thorough home inspection serves as the difference between a bad and sound investment, in that an expert inspector will tell you whether a prospective home is worth your money. So, for example, if the inspection report turns up with few to no issues, you can rest assured that you are spending your money on a property that will increase its value.
MINIMIZE HOMEBUYING RISK
Many people assume that home inspection is primarily about assessing whether a property is worth the value on offer. Although evaluating a property’s worth is essential when shopping for a home, more critical risks should be considered. For example, the biggest risk is missing costly repairs that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.
SAVE MONEY
An independent inspector will save you fortunes in the long run. The inspector will locate problems; they can also foresee potential issues. Some of these problems may be easy fixes, others complex. Either way, identifying them before the sale can save you money. You will have an option to back out from the deal or ask the seller to fix the issues. In some cases, you may lower the initial sale price of the home.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT INSPECTOR
A professional inspector tells you what you must know about a prospective home of your interest. On that account, their ability to spot problems is vital to making an informed purchase, a fulfilling one. The market is filled with many home inspectors, some better than others, and many not the right fit for you. Therefore, knowing how to select a professional home inspector is paramount, especially if you are a first-time buyer. Here are a few tips to consider:
REAL ESTATE AGENT’S REFERRALS
Your realtor is one of your closest options for picking a home inspector. They have worked in the industry for a while, and as such, they may know some of the best inspectors. Nevertheless, your real estate agent’s recommendations may not be the best, mostly because of a conflict of interest. A real estate agent wants to close the deal as quickly as possible, and that incentive may be at odds with that of a professional inspector, who gets paid to identify and report issues. Therefore, before considering your realtor’s referrals, assess how well you know and trust them and if they genuinely have your best interest.
CONDUCT A THOROUGH RESEARCH
The internet has made locating prospective home inspectors in your area easier and faster. If you are a first-buyer and do not know how to go about the search, Google is your best option. For instance, key in terms like “home inspector near me” and the search engine will recommend numerous professional inspectors.
Also, expand your search by asking friends or colleagues who recently purchased a home to suggest home inspectors.
The hardest part of the process is researching individual inspectors found to single out the most qualified candidates. You can achieve this by going through online reviews and testimonials from their past clients.
IDENTIFY QUALIFIED AND TRUSTED CANDIDATES
Once you have shortlisted the best candidates through extensive research, it is time to appraise them based on training, experience, certifications, and other relevant qualities. Some of the questions you might want to ask are how long they have been in business, special courses taken, the number of inspections done, and if they are licensed. Also, ensure you see proof of home inspectors who claim to be certified, licensed, and insured.
FIND OUT IF THEY ARE A MEMBER OF A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTORS GROUP
Ask if they belong to any professional organizations such as ASHI, NAHI, or InterNACHI. Being a member of a professional organization does not necessarily guarantee quality; however, it indicates a certain degree of professionalism, training, expertise, and experience.
INQUIRE ABOUT ANCILLARY INSPECTIONS
Ancillary services are add-on inspections focusing on a specific function or concern beyond the standard home inspection. Many home inspectors offer “one-stop-shop” services for home inspections; therefore, if a home of interest has a septic system, ask the inspector if they can do such checks ahead of time.
ASK ABOUT INSPECTION FEE
It’s an essential criterion for choosing the right inspector. You want to get the best service at the least possible price. Typically, home inspections cost around $300 to $1000 depending on various factors, including the size of the home, its location, the scope of the assessment, and the inspector’s experience. Some inspectors will charge an extra fee for services not covered in the basic inspection.
Want quality home inspection service? Contact our team to get a quote.