6 Reasons to Get a Home Inspection When Buying a Home

You're buying a home and you're not sure whether you want to get an inspection. Home inspections cost between $300 and $500, but they're well worth the investment. Unless you know for sure you'll be tearing down a house and rebuilding it from scratch, you'll be living with unknown problems the house has when you buy it. Getting a home inspection can help you be prepared.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Most Home Buyers Can't Tell What's Wrong with a Home When They Look at It

Many home buyers walk through a home once or twice before they make an offer and get it accepted. While home buyers may inspect the home when they're walking through, there may be many warning signs that they miss.

Typical home buyers are not trained to notice the warning signs of a problem and may miss important maintenance issues like a leaky roof or signs of a plumbing problem. Getting a home inspection can help buyers identify these problems before they're fully committed to the house they want to purchase.

Once You've Bought the Home, You'll Be Responsible for Repairing It

Some home repairs are so expensive that they place significant burden on a new homeowner. Knowing in advance that a home has these problems can help the home buyer decide whether they can afford these repairs and own the home.

You Might Be Able to Negotiate a Lower Price or the Repairs of the Home

Sometimes, if the home inspection turns up significant maintenance problems, then the home buyer can renegotiate the price of the house or request the seller make repairs. This way, if the maintenance problems are too much for the home buyer to manage on their own, the burden of repair gets spread around.

Home Inspections Can Be Educational

Home inspections are educational for the home buyer. The home inspector's report can teach the home buyer about potential issues they may face in the future, because the report will identify which systems are likely to need repair soon.

Additionally, many home buyers come to the home inspection to see the inspector in action. During this time, buyers can ask the home inspector questions such as, "Would you buy a home with this problem?" and "How would you suggest getting this repair done?" Getting answers to these questions from a certified home inspector can prepare the home buyer for homeownership.

You Can Budget for Repairs

Some repairs are small and can be done after moving into the house. Knowing what repairs need to be completed in the months after taking ownership can help home buyers set aside money for home maintenance.

Some Maintenance Problems Can Be a Safety Issue

Some home maintenance problems are so egregious that they need to be addressed as soon as possible. Faulty wiring, some code violations and foundation problems are all examples of home maintenance issues that could be a danger to people who live in the house.

Getting a home inspection can alert home buyers to these potential hazards. Once the hazards have been identified, the home buyer may be able to negotiate repairs be done before escrow closes. This helps ensure that the home is safe for the buyer when they move in.

Buying a Home? Contact a Real Estate Professional Today

If you're a home buyer who would like to buy a home, contact a real estate professional today. Your real estate agent can help you find a home inspector that will meet your needs as you inspect homes in the area where you'd like to buy.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.