Posted in Real Estate

You’re anxious to close on the home of your dreams, and soon you’ll be cutting a lot of checks for things like real estate agent commission or lawyer fees, not to mention the taxes and closing costs. So, it can be tempting to skip a home inspection to save some money. After all, you’ve looked at the house a lot, you’re sure it’s the right one and it looks great. Well, don’t skimp – getting an inspection is one of the most important things you can do.

WHAT AN INSPECTION CAN DO FOR YOU:

DISCOVER HIDDEN FLAWS

Not all flaws in a home are easy to spot by the untrained eye, and an experienced home inspector can look for problems that could cost you later. Small cracks in walls and surfaces and problems with pipes and other plumbing components can be looked for during the inspection. If the home has a crawlspace, the inspector can also check its condition and inform you of any problems. A trained inspector will also check the condition of a home’s attic and foundation and look for signs of damage. Any issues that are discovered can be negotiated into a potentially lower purchase price. 

PROVIDE AN ACCURATE HOME VALUATION

Speaking of a potentially lower purchase price, a home inspector will help you determine whether the listed price is too high or too low, so that you can negotiate to get the fairest deal. Even if the seller says they had an appraisal in the past, you’ll want to confirm with your own advisor, as property values can of course fluctuate. 

ESTABLISH YOUR PROPERTY’S BOUNDARIES

Just because you think the property boundaries are set, it might not be the case. Just looking at the size and layout of the house and yard isn’t the best way to determine the property boundaries, and a knowledgeable home inspector can tell you exactly where the property begins and ends. Your property might be bigger or smaller than you thought and knowing this information can help you establish agreements with the neighbors and possibly avoid conflicts. You’ll also know exactly what you’re liable for if damage occurs within or beyond your property line. After a property line has been officially established, you should mark it for future reference in case you want to build a fence or make changes to the home that may come close to that line.

Finally, if anything that comes up in an inspection makes you uncomfortable, it could provide one last chance to get out of a deal. Hiring a trusted home inspector is extremely important, as they can reveal the inner workings of the property and inform you of all the perks and problems of the property you are about to buy.