Home Inspection

The Home inspection is an important part of every home buying or selling process. It’s during this time that issues otherwise unknown will come to the surface. This allowis ample time for both buyers and sellers to address the situation.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, here are 8 home inspection tips that can save you time and money.

1) Get multiple recommendations.

When it comes to hiring a home inspector, it’s best to seek out a couple of recommendations from trusted friends and family, or your real estate agent. You can also use the American Society of Home Inspectors to help you find a fully qualified home inspector.

Aside from having the necessary experience and background, make sure that your home inspector’s communication style is something that you’re comfortable with.

2) Attend the actual home inspection.

Some buyers or sellers feel like a report from the home inspection is all they need. It’s far better to actually be at the inspection. This way, the home inspector can directly show you what he finds and lets you know if it’s a big issue or not.

Being at the home inspection will also allow you to ask questions of your home inspector. You can dig into any possible issues and learn more about them. Inspect the property until you’re satisfied you’ve got everything covered.

3) Ask questions.

When at the inspection, keep an eagle eye on any possible problems. Ask your home inspector questions throughout the process. If you don’t know the intricacies of the property, how this thing or that thing works, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

It’s a hallmark of a good inspector to answer all of your questions patiently and thoroughly.

4) Have the utilities turned on.

If you’re selling the property, make sure the utilities are turned on for due inspection. If you’re buying a home, don’t skip on the utilities either. Utilities are part of the property, and it’s your due diligence to have them inspected properly to make sure they’re in perfect working order.

5) Test for water and mold problems.

As a home buyer, make sure the property you’re buying isn’t just structurally sound, but healthy as well. Have the water tested for possible contaminants, and determine whether the water comes from a well or another water source. Having the water tested greatly affects the integrity of the property’s plumbing.

Don’t skip on mold testing either. Mold remediation may be expensive, but it’s an investment that can save you thousands of bucks in the future.

6) Don’t spare a new-construction home.

While it’s easy to think that a newly constructed property is in fine condition, inspect it the way you’d expect an old construction or a foreclosed property. Don’t gamble on the safety of the property, no matter how many times a builder assures you that the house is perfectly built.

7) Hire a specialist if needed.

Home inspectors are like general practitioners – they can diagnose problems, but that doesn’t mean they can solve all problems. If your home inspector refers you to a specialist to address an issue, get one. It entails additional costs, but your safety in this prospective home is on the line, and that is worth every penny.

8) Take the report seriously.

Home inspection is not a mere formality, so do take time to read the report. As a buyer, this will give you insight on certain issues the seller refuses to address. As a seller, this will allow you to take action on any issues found by the inspector and not let a good opportunity pass by.

For more information about home inspections, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 760 622 5087.