Home Inspection Process for Home Buyers
An important part of buying any home is the home inspection process and knowing what it entails. As a home buyer, you will get an in depth look at the home and the condition of various parts of the home during a home inspection. Then you will know much more about the any areas of the home are in need of repair and which parts of the home are working fine. Ultimately you will learn if the purchase you are about to make is a sound purchase or one that should be reconsidered.
WHEN IS IT TIME FOR HOME INSPECTION?
While making an offer on a home, a real estate agent will put in to the contract specific timelines for the home inspection. In Texas, this can be referred to as your option period, a period of time in which the seller takes the home off the market, for a small fee, for a number of days while you complete the inspection to decide whether to move forward or not. During this period, backing out of the contract will only cost you that option period fee, if you were to find something wrong with the house that gives reason to not move forward or need leverage to request seller to make some repairs. Real estate agents typically ask for between 7-10 days to arrange for the initial inspection though it is possible they can ask for more time if the circumstances warrant it. Your real estate agent will be invaluable for knowing what the appropriate time frames are to include in the offer to advise you through this process.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT INSPECTOR?
Just as important as the home inspection is, it is also important to pick a qualified home inspection professional. In many states, like Texas, home inspectors are required to be licensed and in order to get licensed have to at least pass a test if not also have met some educational requirement and/or home inspection training requirement. Working with a licensed home inspector is a great way to make sure an inspector has met some minimum requirements. If you do not know of any home inspectors then your real estate agent can refer you to ones they recommend.
It is important for home buyers to meet the inspector at the end of the inspection whenever possible. Not only will you get to tour the home you are about to buy in great detail, but you will also get an invaluable education on the condition and operation of your home. If you attend the home inspector can also show you in person any issues they found so you can better understand the items on the report. Great home inspectors not only will be telling you about the condition of the home, but will also provide you with tips and advice on how best to keep your home maintained.
WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION COVER?
A home inspector will look at many aspects of the home to determine the condition of major systems and components of the house- inside and out. Home inspectors will examine the roof, the visible plumbing and plumbing fixtures, the HVAC systems, the opening and closing of doors and windows, the garage door, attic space, and more. Home inspectors generally will not look at landscaping and yard issues unless they somehow affect the house as these are more aesthetics. They also cannot provide an opinion on areas that cannot be directly observed so if there is hidden mold behind drywall that cannot be seen then the home inspector cannot provide an opinion on that condition.
Home inspectors are more generalists when it comes to homes and if they do feel there is an issue with something in particular they will suggest the home buyer call in additional experts to make a final determination. For examples, if problems are discovered with the plumbing then the home inspector will make a recommendation that the home buyer have a licensed plumbing technician come in to further evaluate. Once an issue is brought to the attention of the home buyer by the inspector it is up to the home buyer to call in the right professionals, if needed, during that option period to further evaluate.
After a home inspection is completed the buyer will receive a full inspection report which they should carefully review. If there are any questions regarding a report item be sure to ask those questions to both your home inspector and your real estate agent. If there are major issues disclosed in the home inspection then it is best to immediately determine if you want to go forward with the purchase of the home or not. Your real estate agent can help advise on everything listed on this report. You have time to further negotiate with the sellers during option period if there is anything you want to ask them to repair before you move forward.
A home inspection is an important part in the home buying process and one that you don’t want to pass up. Although this is an out of pocket cost before closing, it is worth while to know exactly what you are purchasing to lessen any surprises after closing and with the right real estate agent on your side, this process can be stress-free. Remember knowledge and experience is not expensive, it’s priceless!