How Does a Home Inspection Protect You?

A home inspection is hiring a well-trained professional to thoroughly review the home’s essential components such as the structure, roof, foundation, and electrical systems. It usually takes at least a couple of hours.  A home inspection is an integral part of the home buying journey. Through home inspection, you, as the buyer, will have the opportunity to know the real condition of the house that you intend to buy. Other agreements even say that the buyer can dissolve the purchase agreement if major issues are found during the inspection.  That is how vital home inspection is, and you can certainly use it to your advantage when buying a home. Basically, it protects you from future loss for purchasing a home that needs major repairs. As we all know, after-sale repairs can be costly and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress on the buyer’s part. This is why, as a buyer, it is crucial to have a clear view of the deal that you are trying to get into. A significant part of that is having a home inspection for the house that you intend to buy.  

How To Look For in a Home Inspector?

It is essential to look for a legit and trustworthy home inspection company. You can do your research or ask for referrals from your real estate agent or recommendations from your family and friends. You can look into the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) because they have a Find An Inspector tool, as does the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). These association websites are an excellent way to double-check on the referrals that you have.  

What To Ask During a Home Inspection?

Remember that it is okay to ask for clarity. For example, you can ask the following questions to the inspector or the home inspection company that you are looking into: What is your inspection process?

• How soon could I schedule an inspection?
• How soon will an inspector issue a report?
• How will I get the report? Will you email it to me, or do I need to pick it up?
• What’s the inspector’s name, and what is their expertise?
• Could you share references for your company/inspector?
• Does the inspector have particular experience with residential home inspections?
• What will the inspection cover?
• How long will the inspection take, and is it a problem if I attend?
• How much will the inspection cost?
• How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?

  $300 to $500 is a reasonable cost for hiring a professional home inspector. However, be reminded that home inspection is there to protect you from many costly after-sale repairs. In addition, it will help you in the negotiation process, so do not hesitate to hire a professional home inspector.  

What Do Home Inspectors Look Into?

Home inspectors look into the totality of the house. They look at the actual condition of the house from the roof down to the basement. The main categories for home inspection include:

• Structure, including the foundation
• Plumbing and electricity, to make sure the systems are working properly
• HVAC, including the air conditioner, furnace, and related equipment
• Kitchen, including appliances
• Exterior, such as driveways, porches, and other spaces beyond the residence
• Roof, gutters, and windows
• Attic, especially to find signs of mold and leaks

  As much as possible, be present during the inspection because it allows you to ask questions. Your professional home inspector will provide you a report of their assessment that you can look through. After reviewing the assessment, you can discuss it with your real estate agent. This will help you not to be short-changed during the negotiation with the seller. In addition, this will help you to have a better negotiation regarding the repairs of the home that you intend to buy.  

Key Takeaway.

A home inspection protects you from house issues that may cost you more money than you could expect if you do not choose to have a home inspection. So it is better to have a home inspection for you to resolve the house issues you have. If you need home inspection services, you may contact us to know more about our home inspection services.