A home inspection is one of the most important things to do for sellers, as well as buyers.
A home inspection is an in-depth look at your house that includes both visible and hidden components. Things like this are typically done before a seller lists their property or before a buyer tours a potential home.
Sellers usually recommend having a home inspection prior to putting your house up for sale, while many people suggest doing it even if you’re not planning to sell right away. That way, you can avoid buying a place that needs major repairs, which could cost you a lot of money!
On the other hand, a home inspection may uncover issues that need to be addressed before someone moves into your space, so it's worth looking into whether or not they're needed before you put your house up for rent or sale.
Bottom line? A home inspection is essential when it comes to protecting your investment, but there is no obligation to work with the inspector unless you want to. Usually, professionals will offer their services to interested parties for free, so don’t worry about losing out on profit because of them!
Keep reading to learn more about why a home inspection is necessary and what to expect during yours.
Who should get a home inspection?
As mentioned earlier, you can have an expert look at your house to make sure everything looks correct and is working correctly. This includes looking for potential major safety issues or problems with the structure of the home, as well as checking the general cleanliness and health of the home.
A home inspector will also check all appliances in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room; they will test each one to see how they work and if there are any warning signs that something may be wrong.
These experts usually pay special attention to things like water damage, mold growth, bad smells, and poor insulation. All these could mean serious trouble if the situation cannot be fixed or contained!
Home inspections can cost around $100-150 per person depending on the length of the visit and the features included in the report. Some reports include more detailed information than just the basic safety checks so it depends on what you want to know where you can find the most price savings.
Getting this service done before buying a home is definitely worth doing as a precautionary measure.
Are home inspections worth the money?
Having a professional do a home inspection can be expensive, depending on what things they check for during their visit. A basic home inspection usually costs around $200-600, but some may cost much more!
Some of these additional fees are to inspect the house longer or shorter, to check specific items such as roofs, water tanks, external doors and gutters, and so on.
There is no set rule about whether an extra inspection is needed, it really depends on the individual inspector. But if you are planning on buying a house in high demand areas or properties with lots of reports, then this could make sense.
However, remember that some homes will have already had their initial inspections done by brokers before going up for sale, therefore not requiring another one.
What problems are home inspectors looking for?
A home inspection is not only about pointing out things that could be wrong with your house, it is also an opportunity to look at how well your house works.
Home inspections typically include observations and tests of the following:
Electrical systems – power source, circuit breakers, continuity checks, etc.
Plumbing systems – water supply, temperature regulation, drain testing, etc.
Heating and cooling equipment – working temperatures, efficiency
Windows and doors – work properly, no cracks or damage
Appliances – what kind they are, if they work
Floors, ceilings, and wall surfaces – check for signs of moisture, mold, structural issues
Other items – like checking whether there’s enough food in the fridge or figuring out why your cat is trying to get into the garbage bin.
These are just some examples — you don’t have to cover all these areas, but it is good to know what most home inspectors do so you can decide which ones matter to you.
What are the different types of home inspections?
A general inspection is one of the most common types of home inspections. This typically includes an assessor coming to your house and looking around outside, inside, and under the surface with easy access. They may also do some testing as well, such as measuring moisture in the walls or checking for signs of water damage.
Some additional items that are not part of a general home inspection include inspecting the roof, gutter systems, windows, and ventilation. These things matter more in the winter than in summer, so ask about them if you’re interested! General home inspectors usually cost around $150-200 depending on how many people they have working with them and what itemizations are included.
A general home inspection covers a lot of ground but does not give you very detailed information. If you are looking to determine whether or not to buy a property, this is enough information.
If you are thinking about buying a property and want much better detail, get a full home inspection. This will cover everything mentioned above as well as other important parts of the home like the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring, and foundation.
Who should pay for a home inspection?
As with any service, depending on what you are looking to find out, there is an appropriate time to have this done. If you are just trying to make sure your house looks normal, then you can probably skip it.
Home inspections are not free! Most people do not realize that until they get one. Even more frustrating is when sellers ask their buyers to pay for one as a way to prevent poor reviews. This is definitely not okay!
It is very important to understand who pays for a home inspection before you order one. Let’s look at some potential costs of having one done and who is typically responsible for them.
1) Owner's Premium The most common type of home inspection is the property condition survey which covers things like roof, water damage, foundation, etc. An additional item included in many surveys is the pest inspection, also referred to as a rodent or insect inspection. These are usually paid separately due to length. It is up to the individual seller if they want to include these in the price of the home.
Can I perform a home inspection?
As mentioned before, performing a home inspection is not limited to professional inspectors only! While some professionals may have additional training beyond general inspections, you do not need to be an expert to give your house a thorough look.
In fact, anyone can perform a basic inspection that covers the following items:
Roof
Foundation
Waterproofing system (sealants)
Stairs and steps
Electrical wiring
Toilet and bath functioning
Able to use the bathroom
If there are any warning signs or issues found during these inspections, it is important to address them immediately! A little bit of water damage here or there does not require action unless you know what they mean.
We recommend doing at least one per year to make sure everything functions properly for you and the next owner.
What should I look for when inspecting my home?
An experienced inspector will ask you some key questions about your house, as well as do an in-depth inspection of various areas. They may also suggest testing products to see if they work for your home’s specific situation.
The most important thing is what the inspector does not tell you. He or she will never make false claims or promises about the condition of the property. Only give them permission to perform any tests if you have their word that they will be honest.
It is very common for inspectors to review documents and test reports from other professionals such as engineers, architects, and others.
Inspectors use this information to confirm their initial observations and conclusions during the visit, and sometimes to formulate new questions to address with the owner.
Typically, they will spend one to two hours at each location – outside (for example, looking at the roof) and inside (looking around the kitchen and bathroom). Depending on the size of the home, it can take longer than expected.
When the inspector leaves, he/she will write up a detailed report which includes all his findings and recommendations. This takes several days to complete because it requires going back through notes and conversations over the phone or via email.
Overall, buying a home means investing in it. A good home inspector will go beyond just checking the numbers and making sure nothing has been left out.
What are the different types of problems with a home?
An inspection can also look for potential issues that may arise in your home. These include looking at how well it is maintained, checking to see if there are any signs of water or moisture damage, and investigating whether there are pests such as rodents, roaches, or snakes.
If you notice things like these, get into the habit of doing an inspection every six months. Make sure to do it during daylight so you can take good pictures!
It’s very important to remember that even if everything looks okay, you should still have an inspector check out your house thoroughly. A minor issue could be expensive to fix, but only because you would never know about it unless someone does the inspection.
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