The 5 Most Common Home Inspection Blunders and How to Avoid Them
One of the most important elements involved in the home buying prospect
is the home inspection, allowing you to be sure that your new home is
not only safe but also a sound investment. Unfortunately, many home
buyers fail to understand the process involved in a home inspection and
how to make the most of it.
Understanding the most common mistakes home buyers make when it comes to
home inspections and how to avoid them can ensure that your new purchase
is really a dream home and not a nightmare. Below are five of the most
common mistakes that many home buyers make and some tips to help you
overcome them when buying your next new home.
-
When a buyer purchases a brand new home, there is a common tendency to
avoid having an inspection performed because they assume that as the
home has passed all local ordinances and codes, there are no worries.
This is not always the case. The simple fact is that you cannot always
assume that the contractors or the builder did everything correctly even
if the home did pass code. The only way you can be sure that your new
home is not harboring dangerous and expensive secrets is to have it
inspected.
-
Selecting the right home inspector is more important than you may know. This
is a lesson that far too many buyers have learned the hard way.
Remember, when you hire an inspector, you are completely trusting him or
her to give you an accurate opinion of the safety and value of your
largest financial investment. Therefore, it only stands to reason that
you should choose someone who is trustworthy, thorough and competent.
This is not the time to go with the least expensive home inspection
company you can find or someone who was recommended to you. The least
expensive option is not always the best option (Read
Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector here). Always make certain you
take the time to ask about credentials, affiliations, licensing and
insurance.
-
Another common mistake that many buyers make is to assume that they do
not need to be present on the day of the inspection. What many buyers
fail to realize the written report cannot give them nearly as much
information on the condition of the future home than if they are present
on the day of the inspection. As a result, it can be hard to truly know
how serious a defect may be. When you make the time to be present for
the home inspection you have a valuable opportunity to ask questions and
obtain a much more thorough idea the condition of the house you are
buying.
-
Unfortunately, buyers do not always take the recommendations of the
home inspector seriously enough or follow them. It is important to keep in
mind that if you wait until after closing to take action, the problem
can turn out to be more serious as well as expensive than you might have
anticipated. It is always important to obtain several estimates on any
recommended repairs prior to closing. This will give you the opportunity
to review the estimates with the home inspector in full and make the best
possible decision for any repairs that may be necessary.
-
Regardless of your home inspector's skills and experience, it should be kept
in mind that no inspector is talented enough to be able to see into the
future. Just because there are no visible signs of malfunction at the
time that the home inspection is performed, that does not mean that something
might not still go wrong in the future with one of the home's major
systems. The home inspector can only report on what is visible to him or her
at the time of the inspection. Understanding this can help you to have a
more realistic perception about your home purchase.
Ultimately, it should be kept in mind that your home inspector is one of the
few people involved in the home buying process that is completely
neutral. He or she has absolutely no stake in the process and is paid to
provide you with a completely unbiased opinion as to the condition and
value of your home. Taking the time and making the effort to take full
advantage of the home inspection will provide you with the best opportunity
possible to be certain that you will enjoy your new purchase well into
the future and not come to regret it.
|
