Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?

   By YourSuperInspector.com 

Most sellers do not know every nuance of the property they live in.  They are required by law to disclose any material defects to the property.  However, they may not know of many issues.  This is why we recommend the seller to do an inspection before going to market, as well as the buyer, before purchasing the property.  Below are 10 reasons to have the property inspected.

1. It Reveals Critical Decision Making Information

A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This makes the buyer aware of what costs, repairs and maintenance the home may require immediately, and over time. If a buyer isn’t comfortable with the findings of the home inspection, they may want to re-negotiate or walk away from the purchase. Alternatively, a positive report can solidify the buyer’s decision.

2. Safety

A home inspection can detect safety issues and make recommendations for improvements to make your home safer.

3. Reveal Illegal Additions or Installations

A home inspection can reveal whether rooms, altered garages or basements are not constructed to code, which may indicate the improvements were not properly permitted. If a house has illegal room additions that are un-permitted, it affects the insurance, taxes, usability and most of all the overall value. In essence, a buyer is purchasing something that legally does not exist. Even new homes with systems that were not installed to code will become the new homeowners’ financial “problem” to fix.

4. Protection

Home inspections help protect all parties of the transaction, i.e. Real Estate Agents, Buyers, and Sellers, from future claims by disclosing information that may be unknown to the parties. All parties are better off with full disclosure of the condition of the home’s systems. Seller’s disclosure statements rarely provide all the information concerning possible defects and condition of mechanical equipment. Sellers may not be aware or have sufficient knowledge to disclose pertinent information. 

5. Negotiating Tool

A home inspection report presents an opportunity to ask for repairs and/or request a price reduction or credit from the seller. Work with your realtor to understand what requests can and should be made to negotiate a better deal.

6. Forecast Future Costs

A home inspector can approximate the installation age of major systems in the home like plumbing, heating and cooling, and critical equipment like water heaters. They can diagnose the current condition of the structure itself, and tell you how long finishes have been in the home. All components in the home have a “shelf-life.” Understanding when they require replacement can help you make important budgeting decisions, and it will determine what type of home insurance coverage or warranties you should consider.

7. Determine “Deal-Breakers”

Home inspections can help buyers identify how much additional money or effort they are willing and able to spend to take the home to a condition that is personally acceptable. If you are unwilling to repair issues like faulty gutters, cracked walls or ceilings, perhaps you are not ready to end your home buying search.

8. Learn to Protect Your Investment

The home inspector is a valuable educational resource. He or she can suggest specific tips on how to maintain the home, and ultimately save you thousands of dollars in the long term.

9. Reveal the Big Picture

People should use the home inspection to understand the nuances of what may be the biggest purchase they ever make. People fall in love with a piece of property based on the color of the walls, the location of the home, or something else; they are completely blind to the issues that can make that dream home a nightmare. 

10.  Do you need to have a licensed professional come out?

Home inspectors often find that additional inspections may need to be made.  A/C Technicians, electricians, plumbers, roofers may be suggested for further evaluation when potential issues are found.  Be sure the buyer has ample time to complete not only the initial inspection, but subsequent inspections that may be needed.

The Bottom Line

It is your responsibility to understand as many details as you can about the property you may soon call home. Home inspections reveal the inner workings of the property, allowing you to be informed of all the perks and pitfalls the home has to offer.

Have more questions?  Contact Johnny Morrow to help guide you through the process.

Article originally appears on:

http://yoursuperinspector.com/uncategorized/10-reasons-why-home-inspections-are-important/