Homebuyers Inspection
Home inspections, while not mandatory, are an important part of the homebuying process. Inspectors can spot potentially dangerous and expensive issues in a property before you buy it.
But home inspectors aren’t infallible, and may miss things from time to time. So, how can you ensure the inspection goes smoothly and potential problems are identified? Here’s a few ideas.
1. Choose Your Inspector Carefully
To make sure you get an experienced and qualified home inspector, ask for trusted referrals. Then, research the reviews and credentials for those inspectors. You could interview a few before selecting someone to work with.
2. Understand What You're Paying For
Typically, you will pay for an inspection because it’s for your benefit. The cost is based on the size of the home, and normally covers the heating and cooling systems, gas and water, electrical system, foundation, roof, and other features both inside and outside of the home. However, there could be a number of other types of inspections that are not covered, such as testing for mould, radon gas, termites, etc. These might be additional costs depending on your situation, and the house you choose.
3. Attend the Inspection
We can attend the inspection together to ensure nothing is missed. We’ll walk the property with the inspector, asking questions as we go - but not getting in the way of their job. Once the inspection is done, you can ask for a quick run-through of any problematic areas they saw.
4. See the Whole House
To truly assess a home’s condition, the inspector needs to go everywhere on the property. The Seller should make sure the yard and doorways are clear, attic hatches are attainable, and items pulled away from the perimeter of basement walls, so the inspector can physically evaluate everything in the home from top to bottom.
5. Follow Up
Once you get the full inspection report, go through it carefully. If there’s anything noted that concerns or confuses you, call the inspector and talk through it. You can also ask for a re-inspection if it feels appropriate.
It can be difficult to prove that an inspector missed a problem - or that a Seller knew about it, once you live in the home. So, ensuring your inspection is done properly from the start is a key element.
Please get in touch if you have more questions about homebuying.
