A home inspection is an optional but beneficial step in the process of buying or selling a property. A professional inspector visits the property to examine the place thoroughly, determining the condition of every part of the home and taking note of problem areas.
You might still be undecided and have many questions about whether you should push through with this step or not. To help you make this decision, this article will answer the most common questions about the home inspection process.
Why Do I Need a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is important if you want to buy or sell a house at fair prices. This process can reveal if the property has problems—ranging from minor to potentially life-threatening—that need to be addressed. It is not a mandatory step, but it could benefit both the home buyer and seller. Furthermore, many lenders require a home inspection before offering financial assistance.
What Should Be Included in the House Inspection Checklist?
If it is your first time having a house inspection, here are some of the things that your home inspector must look into:
Presence of Pests: Pests could compromise the house’s structure and the health of its inhabitants.
Presence of Molds: Molds could also mean water damage and are also a health risk.
Roof Status: The roof is your protection against weather conditions. It should be to-quality.
Electrical Wirings: Check for any damage with the wiring and whether you have enough voltage.
Air Quality: Another important factor that you should consider is air quality in the home.
Foundation Damage: This part of the house can greatly affect the price of a home because it is costly to repair.
Your home inspector should tell you problem areas of the house and if there have been any previous attempts to address them.
What Preparations Are Needed Before a Home Inspection?
If you plan to inspect a house you are about to buy, it is your responsibility to find a qualified inspector that would do the job. Make sure to let the seller know when you plan to conduct the inspection so that they would have enough time to take care of the minor issues in the house.
You would also want to get the seller’s disclosure statement first. This document would include the known defects of their home so you would know what to prioritize during the inspection.
What Should I Expect from a Home Inspection Report?
Expect the home inspection report to be detailed and lengthy. It will include a thorough checklist of the house and a detailed description of what they have seen in each area. Each part of the house might also be accompanied by photos as references of the written observations discussed.
The timing depends on the inspector, but you can receive a report three to four days after the inspection.
What If a Home Inspector Finds a Problem?
Unless you are looking at a brand new house, you will discover minor and big problems in the property you are eyeing or planning to sell. As a homebuyer, seeing these problems ahead could help you decide whether you should push through with your decision or look for better options as a buyer. The report could also serve as your basis for renegotiating your purchase price.
Conclusion
A home inspection is not a mandatory step in purchasing or selling a home, but it is useful, especially in assessing your home value. Through this step, you get to understand the property you are planning to purchase or sell. Moreover, it can prevent you from surprise repairs and expenses down the line.
If you need house inspections in Birmingham, AL, Let’s Do It Home Inspections would gladly serve you. We assure you that no matter the size of your home, we provide the same high-quality professional home inspection service to every homeowner and realtor. Let us help check if the house is your dream house or a problematic house in the future. Contact us at (205) 903-4508 to schedule an inspection.