A home inspection is something a buyer should always consider when they decide to purchase a home. Depending on what type of home inspection you chose, plan to include it in your contract.
If your contract is accepted you have usually 5-7 days to get the inspection completed, depending on how it was written. Time is of the essence, meaning it is important to know the dates everything needs to be completed. It can cost you if you do not. A basic home inspection can cost between $350-$600, depending on the inspector. If you need a chimney inspection, this would be another inspector, usually, an additional cost. There are also radon, termite, and more specific types, depending on what you need. Note this is not a warranty or guarantee, it is more for information and understanding about what the condition of the house is.
What a regular home inspector will usually inspect is:
- Roof
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Appliances
- Deck
- Structure
- Foundation
- Attic
- Inside and outside the home
- Heating and Air Conditioning
Fireplace and Chimney (cracks, flue, structure) – for more in-depth inspection, you would hire a chimney inspector
Some home inspectors can set up and coordinate additional inspections at the same time he/she does your home inspection. This is convenient since you are already there. A good inspector will go over all safety issues and explain what is needed. They will also explain what they are doing as they go along.
Once the inspection is complete you will receive a full report of the finding. You and your agent will discuss if there is anything you want to go back to the seller to request. If nothing, you continue moving forward in the contract. If you do have requests, a new form will need to be signed by you and then sent to the seller with a list of what they need to do. The seller then decides if they will or will not comply with the list. Some homes are sold “as-is”, which lets you know in advance they are not going to do anything. A home inspection is still a good idea. It lets you know what you will need to do after purchasing the home. Safety issues would usually be addressed by the seller, even if it is an “as-is”.
If the house has too many issues, you have the inspection contingency in place to help you exit the contract. If inspection is good, you keep moving forward. Either way a few hundred dollars before investing into the most expensive purchase you will ever make, will be worth it.
