Home inspections are essential if you are purchasing a home. Whether you are a first-time buyer or it is your second home it is important to be very keen on the house you are purchasing. We do not want your home to be a home improvement nightmare, do we? A proper home inspection would be your initial defense in securing your home sweet home. So, how would you get the most out of a home inspection making sure that every corner of the house is how it seems to be? Here are some tips I want to share with you.
Show Up
Make sure you are there for the inspection. Ask questions and point out problems you may want to check further.
Use an Inspector you trust
As a realtor, we have a few inspectors that we have already worked with that we can recommend and that have proven effective and trustworthy but it would also help if you make your own research in finding someone who can really give you peace of mind. You may have to pay a little bit more for a quality home inspector but if he/she is able to talk freely and frankly about potential issues that may help you a lot in the future, compared to the purchase price I say it is worth it.
Do not be afraid to ask questions
The inspector has the knowledge to evaluate whether or not the property has any issues that would make buying the home a bad idea and their time and knowledge should be respected. But if you have questions or something you don’t understand, speak up, it is better to ask questions than have problems rising after you bought the home.
Get pictures for proof
A good home inspector would bring a camera along with their inspections. They may also go to places on the property you are not able to go to so ask your inspector to take photos of any potential issues and make sure you understand the problem.
Do your own pre-inspection
You learn a lot about a home just by looking at it. You are not an expert but a little inspection yourself won’t do you bad. Check for wall damage, and the ceilings for any evidence of water damage like stains, and discoloration. Try the light switches, and check for new and old wirings, drainage issues, etc. by doing this, you also help the inspectors look into potential issues further and they can pay extra attention to them.
Bottomline
Make sure that you check everything from the basement to the attic, and the roof, and look for cosmetic fixes that may only be a cover-up. Check the outlets, plumbing, furnace, and water the full house from top to bottom because, at the end of the day, you want your home especially if it is your first to be perfect and you get your money’s worth, not a headache’s worth. Ask your inspector questions and be present to see everything for yourself.
