Although mostly a visual evaluation of the property, a home inspection is still one of the most important steps every new homeowner needs before parting with their hard-earned cash. These inspections typically provide a spec-sheet of sorts telling the buyer as well as the seller all they need to know about the performance of the home.
As such, it is an integral part of the process. After all, no one wants to buy a million pound home that has no working toilets. With that in mind, here are the most common inspection mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake no. 1: Foregoing the inspection
This might sound quite obvious to veteran property dealers, but new buyers often have a hard time understanding why they should pay someone to tell them that the house they already love is just as good as they think it is and as it looks. For that reason, coupled with the need to save money, many often choose to forego this process because, honestly, the house looks just fine to them. The problem with this is that a buyer is not an expert when it comes to home inspections. A home inspector will see things that you cannot immediately see or identify from face value.
How to avoid this mistake: Get a home inspection, no matter how good the home looks or how much you want to save money.
Mistake no. 2: Not researching the inspector
The first thing you need to know here is that the inspection is only as accurate and as good as the inspector. Many new homeowners often take the first name they come across or that is suggested to them. It is your duty to research the integrity and professionalism of the home inspector you hire. You need to know:
– How long they have been in business
– What kind of qualifications they have
– How many home inspections they have done
The goal here is to find a professional who is not only qualified but also stays current.
How to avoid this mistake: Do your research and call the references.
Mistake no. 3: Not personally attending the inspection
Simply reading the inspection report may not be enough; you need to attend the entire process personally. After all, how would you understand what it is you are reading or looking for in the report? The best home inspectors have no problem with their customers attending the inspection. In fact, many of them are okay sitting down with and explaining the process to their customers.
How to avoid this mistake: Make the time to attend the inspections and ask as many questions as you need to ask.
In some situations, the home inspector will not be allowed to advise you on whether or not you should buy the home. They can, however, give you an estimate of how much you will probably spend to get the house up and running properly again. This gives you excellent bargaining power.
Tags: home inspection, home inspection mistakes, home inspection tips
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