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Ask Your Inspector These Questions When Buying A Home
Like any investment, purchasing a home comes with some risk. Assessing the quality and condition of a home is difficult during a brief tour, which is why the home inspection is so important, especially for first-time buyers. A home inspection contingency allows you to make offers under the condition the results of a home inspection are satisfactory or to your liking. If not, you have the opportunity to walk away from the deal or negotiate repairs with the seller.
During a home inspection, a professional will examine the interior and exterior of the home and report back on any problems or safety conditions they discover. Because the home inspection is so important, our real estate agents always encourage clients to attend.
- What's Included In The Inspection?
Home inspections don't cover everything; therefore, you'll want to know where any potential gaps exist. Home inspectors will generally only examine areas of the home that are readily visible, and they won't move furniture or decor out of the way. Some inspectors will conduct a visual roof inspection from the ground, while others will actually get on the roof. If you're in the process of closing on one of these Nassau County homes for sale, you'll definitely want to find out what your inspection company will include in the report. - Can I See A Sample Report?
The home inspection is crucial for managing risk and will serve as your primary negotiation lever during the closing process. When choosing a home inspector, ask for a sample report so you can get a sense of how thorough and comprehensive the write-up is. A sample report will also give you an idea of what the inspector will look for, and how critical they are with their comments. - Is That A Safety Hazard?
If you're new to the world of home maintenance, you may have some trouble determining if a particular issue is a major safety hazard or a minor defect. Don't hesitate to ask your inspector for clarity. He or she should distinguish between safety hazards and minor flaws on the report, but you should always ask for additional information. - Can You Clarify Something On The Report?
If you don't understand something written on the home inspection report, call your inspector and ask. Inspectors are usually happy to walk you through any issues and provide extra details as needed. You want to make sure you fully understand the issues before you attempt to fix them or negotiate with the seller. - Is That An Expensive Issue?
Home inspectors usually don't specialize in any particular area of home maintenance, but they do have a lot of experience. Therefore, they should be able to give you a rough idea about repair costs. Knowing what a particular issue will cost to resolve is important for your negotiations with the seller. - Can You Refer Me To A Contractor?
Like most real estate and home improvement professionals, home inspectors often have a network of resources. If you need a referral to an electrician, plumber, or roofer, chances are your home inspector will know a qualified company. Don't hesitate to ask for referrals.
Remember, home inspectors will always find issues during the home inspection. It's up to you to determine what you can live with, what you can afford to fix, and what the seller should cover. Need help buying your first home? Contact us today.