by Anthony Kellum
As a homebuyer one of the most critical steps of the purchasing process is obtaining a home inspection. At Kellum Mortgage, we’re here to help you every step of the way on your home buying journey. Here, we’ve compiled the key elements of a home inspection. While each of these steps is important, they should not be overwhelming. With a team of professionals by your side, including your realtor and inspector, you’ll be able to make your home purchase knowing you’re aware of most large faults and with a plan to rectify them.
- Select a home inspector
- Schedule and attend your home inspection
- Review your inspection report
- Determine your next steps after the inspection report
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection protects you, the buyer, from future trouble with your new home. Ideally, an inspector will discover anything wrong with the home during an inspection. This allows you and the seller to determine how you will handle repairs before you finalize the purchase. At the very least, it gives you a better picture of the home you are purchasing and whether it is in working order or will need repairs down the road. So, even if you do wind up having to pay for these pre-determined repairs, knowledge is power and it’s best to know the full picture. No one likes unwelcome surprises when purchasing a hoe. Having your home inspected in a timely fashion helps to avoid these surprises, serving as a key advantage of a home inspection.
Let’s dive into the steps:
- Select a Home Inspector
- Referrals from friends
- Sites such as Angi
- Your real estate agent and professional organizations
Schedule and Attend Your Home Inspection
Your home inspection will take place shortly after the seller has accepted your offer. You will want to have the home inspected as soon as possible, usually within a 10-day window. Typically, you will include a contingency in your offer regarding the results and outcomes of the inspection. So, don’t worry about making an offer before having the home inspected. As the homebuyer, you are responsible for setting up the home inspection. While only the inspector needs to be present, we recommend that you accompany the inspector and walk through the home with him or her. This gives you a chance to ask questions along the way.
What to Expect on Inspection Day
On inspection day, you and your home inspector will walk through the house looking at and testing various home components and making detailed observations. The idea is to make sure everything works correctly and safely. If it doesn’t you can work on a plan for fixing it. They include having adequate carbon monoxide detectors, improper plumbing and electrical installations, and safety components, including the foundation, roof, and chimney. Infestations, including mold, insects, or rodents. Mechanical components, such as HVAC system and appliances, plumbing and electrical systems.
Review Your Inspection Report
After completing the inspection, your home inspector will deliver a full home inspection report for your review. This report will outline both minor issues and larger issues you may want to address before closing on your home. You and your real estate agent will want to look it over together to decide what to do next.
Determine Your Next Steps After the Inspection Report
With the report in hand, you have a few choices. You can purchase the home as-is, ask for repairs to be made at the seller’s expense, or decide not to purchase the home. If you decide to request repairs, you can negotiate with the seller on which party will pay for the repairs. When deciding what repairs to request, think about the coast of the repairs and the amount of work that will go into them. For example, if there are electrical or plumbing issues, we recommend asking the seller to pay.
No matter what results you home inspection turns up, the inspection is important and hopefully not too stressful. With your home inspection report in hand, you should hopefully have peace of mind because you know the key details about the home you are buying.