The home inspection report is one of the most important parts of a home buyer’s due diligence process. The report provides details of the conditions that need to be prioritized for repairs and remediation. It is also the best critical negotiating tool to get the best deal.
If you’re a buyer, here are several tips to prepare for your upcoming inspection.
1. Make sure you are present for the home inspection.
You will not have to get into the crawl spaces with the home inspector, but it helps to be on hand for real time discussions about problems that you are most concerned with.
2. Utilities should be turned on and in good working order.
The only way to make sure that the plumbing and electrical systems work is to have them tested by a professional who is trained to see potential issues.
3. Ask questions.
It is to your advantage as the potential homeowner to know as much as you can about the condition of the property before you hand the seller your check.
4. Discuss your expectations with the home inspector prior to the start of the job.
Home inspectors work from an extensive checklist of points to focus on and issues to look for based on their experience. Discuss any concerns with your home inspector and ask for a thorough examination of those areas.
5. Hire a specialist if needed.
Some aspects may be outside the expertise of the home inspector. For instance, signs of slab problems may require inspection by a structural engineer.
6. Even new construction homes need inspection.
Even with warranties and builder assurances, new homes should still undergo inspection to determine if there are any flaws in construction and design that may impact home safety and property values.
7. Treat the report seriously.
Act on the recommendations of the home inspector and your realtor immediately. As a potential buyer, you can ask the seller to resolve the major issues or ask for a price reduction to have the repairs completed yourself. It is not recommended to be extremely picky regarding the cosmetic defects in the home. These items are easy to handle yourself after the sale is completed, but requiring the seller to repair EVERYTHING may be detrimental to the deal.