If you are planning to buy a new home for your family or yourself, then sooner or later, you will need a key home inspection! With the increase in the construction industry, the need for home inspection has also increased. Homebuyers go through a lot of issues if they do not hire a real estate inspector to know the actual condition of the house they are about to buy.
If you are a home buyer, and you have found a perfect home for yourself, don’t rush for the final deal. You must be patient and ask the seller for a home inspection before the closure of the agreement. It will help you to negotiate and make a better deal for your investment.
What is Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a detailed examination of the house before the final agreement. It includes an analysis of the house from the basements to the roofs. Home inspection groups in California note every minute detail so that they can add it to the home inspection report.
The real estate inspection is the norm in California these days. The reason is that it helps the buyers to know about the problems in the house beforehand. Also, knowing the issues, he can ask the seller to make the necessary repairs or negotiate on the final price. Moreover, the seller’s home inspection is also increasing. Sellers go through a home inspection so they can resolve home inspection any possible issues in the house before they put the house on the market.
But there is an important thing to remember.
No home is perfect!
Of course, you cannot expect any home to be perfect. Also, nobody is expecting perfection. No home inspection report states no issues in the house.
It may be the case that you have negotiated over some of the issues during the deal time. For example, the price of the house is according to the rough paint in the house. However, it is still necessary to go through a real estate inspection. It will let you know about the minor issues that need repair before the closure of the agreement. The shorter the list of defects in the home is, the better it is.
Read More: Home Inspection Checklist: What You Need to Know
Hire a Professional Home Inspector
For home inspection, you need to hire a professional in this field. Licensed home inspectors have complete knowledge along with years of experience. But you need to make the right choice about the selection of a home inspector. Look for the following three things when considering an expert.
-
Check the reviews of the home inspection group
Online platforms are a blessing these days. You can look up the reviews and ratings of the home inspection groups online and choose the one with the highest rating and good reviews.
-
Check their Credentials
Many of the states make it compulsory for home inspectors to be licensed. Remember to check the credentials of the home inspector before you hire them.
-
Ask for a referral
You can ask your family member or a friend for a referral if they have ever hired a home inspector. Or you can even ask your real estate agent for a reference for home inspectors.
-
Compare the prices
Remember to compare the prices of different companies before the final hiring. Choose the home inspection group, which offers the best home inspection package according to your budget.
Home Inspection Checklist
Professional home inspectors carry a checklist to monitor various areas of the house. Some of the components of the home inspection checklist are as below.
- Water Leakage
- Floors
- Roof
- Walls
- HVAC system
- Pest Inspection
- Appliances Inspection
- Structure and Foundation Inspection
- Basement
- Plumbing Issues
- Electricity and Wiring Issues
- Legal and General Documents
- Windows and Doors
- Yard and landscaping
- Paint
How much does a Home Inspection Cost?
Experts say that buyers can expect to pay a minimum of $400 for reliable Home Inspection Services. This price is usually for an average-sized house, with a maximum of 2,000 square feet. However, the price range may vary depending on the size and location of the house. The price of a house inspection for a large home can range from $500 to $600.
Moreover, you can ask the home inspector to perform additional inspections, but they will charge extra for them. Such inspections include things that are not typically included in the checklist, such as furniture.
What to expect on Home Inspection Day?
A home inspection is a normal process in which the home inspector visits the property to inspect, takes a close look at the house, and prepares an inspection report. Here are some of the points you can expect on the home inspection day.
-
Meet the Home Inspector at a specified place
You can decide with the home inspector about the location and time when you two will meet. It is a better option to meet at the property you are about to buy. You can ask questions from the home inspector during the inspection, and he can guide you well.
-
The home inspector will have a close look at every place in the house
The purpose of a home inspection is to get detailed knowledge of every area in the house. For this reason, the home inspector needs to check every place of the house. They even inspect the doors that have been locked for ages.
-
The Home Inspection Process is time-consuming
The buyers can expect the home inspection process to last at least two to four hours. The Home inspector may want you to visit every location in the house along with him. In this way, he can point out the faults and issues, and you can verify the procedure.
-
The Home Inspector will provide you with an inspection report
After the home inspection is completed, the home inspector will leave. The home inspection report comes out after three to four days. If the house is big, it may take a few more days. The home inspection report is of 50-70 pages, listing down all the issues and problems in the house, along with photographs.
Read More: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Inspectors
Negotiate on the Deal!
The final and the most prime step is to negotiate on the deal. The seller will make the necessary repairs or he will reduce the price of the house accordingly.
It is always better to choose the option of reducing the price of the house. Home sellers will often prefer to make cheap repairs before selling the house. Low-standard repairs can even lead to further issues. The repairs you make will last longer. So, a home inspection can be a great help for home buyers!
