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Of all the steps in the home-buying process, the home inspection is the one that can be the most helpful for you, especially as a first-time homebuyer. In the few hours it will take to complete the inspection, you'll learn a lot about your potential investment. A good home inspector will not only help you make the decision about whether or not to move forward with the purchase, but will also help you understand how to maintain the home if you do.
Attending the inspection allows you to get the most out of it—so you can ask questions and get answers.
An inspection is not pass/fail. Almost every home has issues and this is your chance to learn about them.
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While some states require an inspection to be completed as part of the purchasing process, others will only require some aspects of the inspection or no inspection at all. Regardless of where your new home is, hiring a home inspector to evaluate the property is the best way to ensure you're making a sound investment before you sign the contract or move toward closing.
Unlike your real estate agent or a general contractor, a home inspector has no stake in the sale. They’re a neutral party whose primary responsibility is to provide you with an impartial and thorough report on the condition of the home.
Keep in mind that a home inspection isn’t a pass/fail test. No home is perfect—not even new constructions—and your home inspector will in all likelihood find several aspects of the property worth documenting on the inspection report.
Don’t worry about the number of issues. Instead, pay attention to their severity and the cost of fixing each one. Your home inspector should be able to advise you about whether the property you’re purchasing is a sound investment despite its potential issues.
If the findings on the inspection report are a deal breaker for you, you should be able to walk away from the deal with any earnest money you have deposited, depending on whether you have already signed a contract and what the terms are.
If you choose to move forward with the purchase, your real estate agent may use the report as a bargaining tool to negotiate the sale price down, or ask the seller to provide a credit for some of the repairs.
You can also draw upon the inspection report for years to come as a resource for information about the condition of your home and any necessary repairs or maintenance you need to complete as a homeowner.
Don’t worry about the number of issues. Instead, pay attention to their severity, and the cost of fixing each one.
During the home inspection, your inspector will evaluate every aspect of the home, including its structural components, systems, and general condition. They will then provide you with a full report that gives an overview of the home and specifies any issues that may need to be addressed.
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), your home inspector will review each of the following aspects of the home:
Your home inspector will use a comprehensive checklist to evaluate each of these components and when they were last replaced, how long they should last, and any issues that need fixing. Most home inspectors will also indicate the severity of any issues and even provide you with a general idea of how much it would cost to complete repairs.
Some home inspections will cover issues like radon, mold, and termites, but others may require you to obtain additional specialist reports for these items. Many states require a separate pest inspection for termites and other wood-destroying insects, since the presence of these pests may affect the structural integrity of the home.
To ensure your home inspection goes smoothly, find a home inspector you can trust. Your real estate agent may make suggestions about inspectors they have worked with before. You can also ask family or friends who have purchased homes recently if they have anyone they can recommend.
In the end, the home inspector you select is up to you. Some can be more expensive, but they may also be more detailed in their report and have more expertise. It’s all up to you and how much you want to spend.
ASHI has an inspector search tool you can use to find home inspectors in your area. Try choosing a home inspector who has completed a minimum of 100 fee-paid inspections and has at least one year of experience in the field.
Prior to your inspection, your real estate agent should coordinate with the seller’s agent to ensure that the home is ready for inspection. This may require the seller to clear any areas in the basement or attic that the inspector needs to move through to inspect the systems and structural components there. If the utilities have been disconnected because the home is currently vacant, they will need to be reconnected for the inspection.
During the home inspection, your inspector will evaluate every aspect of the home, including its structural components, systems, and general condition.
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