Is a Home Inspection a Big Deal?
Absolutely! In fact, never make an offer on a home without
making it conditional upon a thorough inspection by a licensed Home
Inspector. And, never close on the home purchase without a detailed
re-inspection to ensure all specified conditions have been corrected
to your satisfaction. Spending a few hundred dollars for an expert
home inspection professional could save you a fortune by discovering
deficiencies that otherwise may not be found until it is too late.
Every home, whether new or old can harbor defective conditions.
Some may be visually obvious, but some may only be apparent through
a detailed inspection by a qualified inspector that knows where
to look and how to look. It is crucially important to identify problems,
determine how serious they may be and how costly the corrections
could be. The home inspection results could determine whether to
pursue negotiations or not.
The typical homebuyer will only spend a relatively short time visually
inspecting a home prior to making an offer. Although this walk through
will help you form a general impression of a home’s condition,
the typical homebuyer is not nearly qualified to make a detailed
conclusion of underlying conditions without the assistance of an
experienced, knowledgeable home inspector.
Faulty foundations, structural problems, poor insulation, ventilation
deficiencies, weakened roof structure and inadequate plumbing installation
are just a few of hundreds of potential problems that must be exposed
prior to making an offer. And that doesn’t include building
safety hazards involving electrical wiring, fireplaces, chimneys,
furnaces, decks, railings, water heaters, gas leaks and other potentially
dangerous situations.
Clearly you would want your home inspection specialist to identify
any general deterioration, inoperative fixtures, faulty air conditioning
units and more. And don’t forget external aspects as well
including fences, swimming pool conditions and adequate drainage.
Every homebuyer should make informed decisions. Hiring a buyer’s
agent that diligently represents your interests that will ask the
seller about any known deficiencies and faulty conditions is imperative.
Always know what you’re making an offer on and make any offers
with a contingency of a detailed home inspection.
For your own comfort and confidence, interview potential qualified
inspectors and ask for references. After all, a home purchase is
likely the most important investment you’ll ever make and
you want to avoid loses and years of unfortunate regret.
Happy home hunting.
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