When it comes to a home inspection, the question of “Why is it important and when to do it” sometimes plagues even the more experienced homeowners. In this article, we will be answering that very question. And we will cover the answers for both a home seller and a home buyer. No matter which of these two groups you fall into, after reading this article, you’ll be armed with the necessary knowledge to help make every home purchase go over smoothly.
What exactly is a home inspection?
Before we discuss why home inspections are essential and when you should do them, we first have to define a home inspection.
A home inspection is a thorough assessment of the quality of a home’s physical state and the state of all major systems within it. A professional, licensed home inspector does it. This person will examine every corner of a home to determine its overall condition. After this, they will draw up a report, which will draw attention to all the significant flaws in a home. What they won’t do, however, is include information about minor cosmetic issues and easily fixable problems. Additionally, depending on the inspector, they might inform the buyer about the home system’s age.
Although it’s common for first-time home buyers and sellers to avoid an inspection and consider it unimportant, it’s highly beneficial for both parties. It gives peace of mind to the buyer since they’ll be able to make sure they won’t need to spend a lot of money on significant surprise fixes right after moving in. And it also gives the seller proof of credibility; if it goes well, the sale is usually a sure thing.
As a seller
If you’ve decided to sell your home, asked for a home inspection, and are wondering why it is important and when to do it, you should know that there are multiple answers to that question.
If you do it before listing, it’ll help you prepare for the buyer’s inspection
Properly preparing for a home inspection can be a daunting task. There is much to do. But that’s also one of the main reasons a seller can benefit from conducting their home inspection before listing. The home inspector you hire is on your side. He will not only make sure everything that should be up and running is, but he’ll also help you prioritize when it comes to things that aren’t. Some fixes may not be worth fixing in the long run. And some issues might make it impossible to sell your house without addressing them. As you can see, there are many reasons for a home inspection before listing.
If you do it after a failed buyer’s inspection, it might save you from a scam
A common practice after failing a buyer’s home inspection is offering a credit or warranty on the home. Since it takes less time and effort than waiting for the seller to fix the issues, many buyers will choose this option. However, it also sometimes happens that a buyer might try and scam the seller into giving credit with a fake failed inspection.
That is when hiring your home inspector comes into play. Of course, this is rarely the case, but if something seems “fishy” to you, or you are sure that items listed on the report as problems are actually in working condition, then you’ve got your answer to the “Why is it important and when to do it” question.
Experts from City Movers advise you to be especially wary of this if you’ve already moved away from the home you’re selling. You not being there to check things right away by yourself makes it even easier for you to be tricked. And unless you want to spend a lot of time coming back to the home you’re selling, your best option is again to hire a trusted home inspector who is already in the area.
As a buyer
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people make in their lives. And a home inspection is crucial to ensure the investment is worth it. However, it’s still common for buyers to wonder why it is important and when to do it. Let’s go through the two most common options for this.
If you do it right away, it can save you some effort
Hiring a home inspector right after the viewing saves you a lot of time and effort. This way, you can just relax and take in your potential home while viewing without worrying about spotting issues yourself. However, a big part is hiring a home inspector you can trust to do everything right. If you don’t hire carefully, you might become a victim of a faulty inspection. The process after that is tedious, and suing the inspector might not even be financially worth it, leaving you pining for justice.
You can find a reputable home inspector in a couple of ways:
1. You can ask people you trust who have also recently gone through this process;
2. You can ask your real estate agent;
3. You can find a potential home inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
If you do it after checking some things yourself, it can be a financial lifesaver
It’s common for buyers to have too much confidence in themselves when uncovering potential issues within a home they’re viewing. While it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for some key things to look out for during the viewing, you should only use what you notice as directions for a professional home inspector. For instance, if you notice some dampness on the wall, you shouldn’t instantly assume there’s a leak. What you should do, however, is inform the home inspector you hire about it so that he can use his expertise to find out what is happening there.
Relying too much on yourself and skipping out on a professional home inspection just because you considered the home in good shape can be very bad for you financially. Getting a professional to do some hands-on work can save you from a potential disaster in the future.
To conclude
As you can see, when it comes to home inspections, the question of “Why is it important and when to do it” has multiple answers. However, it will always be necessary whether you’re a seller or a buyer. From saving you from financial disasters as a buyer to ensuring your credibility as a seller, a home inspection can be beneficial in many ways. Of course, there are specific home inspection tips every motivated seller should follow. And every motivated buyer should know to restrain themselves until they get the results of a home inspection back. But, as long as you hire a reputable inspector, you should be fine.ction
