HOME SEARCH  |   BUYER   |   SELLER   |   FAQ & INFO  |   ABOUT   |   BLOG   |   HOME

What You Need to Know About Home Inspections

The first thing you need to know is...have an inspection. It's a small investment that could save you a lot of hassle later on.

Qualified home inspectors have a long list of items they check out. They can point out any problem areas, and make recommendations for routine maintenance. By all means, plan to attend the home inspection, it's a great way to get to know your new house.

Read on to find out more. Of course, if you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sellers Disclosure Statement

Home sellers (in most cases) are required by law to fill out a questionnaire called a Seller's Disclosure Statement where they describe any issues about which they are aware. Be sure to read that statement closely before your inspection. If you have any questions, ask your home inspector to check out areas of concern or the quality of repairs made.

Don't Expect Perfection

At least a few issues can be expected from every inspection. The most important items to keep an eye out for are: problems with major systems, issues that appear to have been consistently problematic, challenges that may cause damage to other areas if not corrected.

Request a Written Report

Ask your home inspector to provide you with a written report. It is tough to keep track of all the issues mentioned in a home inspection and a summary can help you keep the details clear later on.

Check Your Inspector's Credentials

Make sure the person doing your inspection is qualified. There are lots of inspectors out there, some are more qualified than others. Ask your inspector if he or sell is a member of ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). Ask how many inspections they have done. Ask how long a typical inspection takes and how much it costs.

What if there's a problem?

First of all, be glad you found out about the problem before you closed on the sale! Keep in mind, just because there is a problem, that doesn't mean that you should not buy the home. Once you know about the problem, you have a few options:

• You could decide to cancel the sale entirely,
• you could ask the seller to complete the repairs,
• you can ask for a concession/price adjustment, or
• you might decide to just take care of the issue yourself after you close.

We can help you determine what the best choice is for you.

The items mentioned above are certainly not an exhaustive list of issues. If you're considering buying a home, we would love an opportunity to earn your trust and your business. We work with some great home inspectors and we would be happy to pass along contact information. Give us a call, or send us an email.