Buying a new-to-you house can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know what a good price is and what’s too much. As a first-time homebuyer (and even as a veteran homeowner!) it’s even more difficult to look at a house and know if anything is wrong with it. Is the electrical all correct? Is the plumbing? Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert in all these different areas to get a quality house. A home inspection can help tell you the condition of a home before you buy it.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a key part of the home buying process, where a qualified home inspector takes a close look at the house you’ve made an offer on. The buyer (that’s you!) usually arranges and pays for the home inspection.
Once the inspector looks at the home and the property, they give you a home inspection report that discusses the condition of everything.
The report will usually talk about the physical structure of the home as well as the interior. This includes:
- the foundation
- the roof
- heating and cooling system
- plumbing
- electrical
- water and sewage
The home inspection report will also mention if there are any fire and safety issues and will verify that everything is up to code.
The home inspector will also tell you if there is any water, insect, fire damage, or anything that may affect the value of the property.
The inspector will also recommend repairs or if any costly issues could come up in the future.
Whatever the report says can determine whether you buy the house, decide to renegotiate your offer, ask for repairs, or move on to a different home.
Why Do I Need A Home Inspection?
Having a home inspection can tell you so much about your potential home. It can tell you what issues could come up in the future, what problems are hidden from your eye, and give you the confidence to either choose that home or move on to something else. Here are 5 key reasons quality realtors always recommend their clients get a home inspection before making a purchase.
Identify Warning Signs
A home inspection can assess major issues and potential problems that may make a home a safety hazard. An inspector can help you see the problems with a home and give suggestions about how it can be fixed.
An experienced home inspector can also spot signs of what’s going on behind the walls. They use tools that can discover issues you would never know about by just walking through the house on your own.
With this knowledge, you are clued in by an expert to any warning signs that might signal this home has serious problems, before you spend a lot of money on it.
Home Inspections Save You Money
A home inspection can be anywhere from $300 to $500 depending on the size and age of the home. You usually have to pay for a home inspection as the buyer, but the amount of money it will end up saving you more than makes up for it.
With an inspection, you find out about all the flaws in the house and property ahead of time so you don’t have any costly surprises in the future. Fixing things after you’ve bought the house can be very expensive, but leaving a house in need of a lot of work behind costs you absolutely nothing.
You can also take the home inspection findings and ask the seller to reduce the price. If there are major issues, you may be able to negotiate and get the house for less than they are asking for.
You Get a Chance to Fix Issues Before You Move In
If a home inspector finds some issues with a home, you can talk to the seller and have them do those repairs before you move in. Just make sure it’s part of your contract. That can save you not only money but a lot of time and elbow grease.
Even if the seller doesn’t agree to make those repairs, but instead agrees to lower the agreement slightly, an inspection ensures you have plenty of time to deal with those issues. Moving into a home you know has just been repaired and fixed is a whole lot better than moving in and finding those issues later.
Most sellers try to ensure their home passes inspection to begin with by fixing major issues before you look at the house. But an inspection can still give you a little more peace of mind about the home’s condition.
Home Inspections Help You Plan Ahead
A home inspection can also help you plan for future issues. It can tell you how long the roof has been there, how old the furnace is, and how long the appliances are likely to last.
With this knowledge, you can plan ahead of time and if necessary, save money for when the roof really needs new shingles or when the furnace is on its last legs.
Home Inspections Give You Confidence In Your New Home
One of the biggest benefits of a home inspection is the confidence it can give you. With the knowledge you receive from a home inspection, you can be sure you’re making the right decision in either purchasing a home or moving on to something else.
A home is not an inexpensive purchase and it can be a difficult decision to know which one is right for you. A home inspection can help you feel certain about your decision and eliminate buyer’s remorse.
At BlueWest Properties, we’re here to make sure you cover all the bases in the buying process. If you’re considering a move to or within West Michigan, we can help you find a great investment that suits your family’s needs. To work with us, contact one of our agents today.
