Davidson Realty, Inc.

Realtor Loreal Greathouse Shares Great Tips on the Home Inspection Process

June 18, 2015

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Posted by in News

Your offer was accepted and now you have about 10-15 days to get your inspections done depending on how the contract was written. Getting a home inspection is one of the most important steps a buyer can take to insure they are making a good investment and getting a home that is safe for their family. Here are some tips to help you with this process.

1. Don’t be afraid to get a new construction home inspected. We want to believe that all builders do a fantastic job, but with how quickly homes are going up in areas it’s best not to assume your builder or the contractors did everything right. Just because the home passed code and was given an occupancy certificate by the city doesn’t mean there aren’t things that went unnoticed. An inspector is your last line of defense against major defects. Even though your new home will have a builder’s warranty, it’s best to know about any possible issues before the ownership changes hands.

2. Call multiple inspectors for quotes and ask lots of questions about their inspection process. Don’t pick the cheapest inspector. You get what you pay for and often times the least expensive is also the least experienced. Your Realtor can likely give you a recommendation of a few inspectors he/she knows and trusts. Keep in mind, a good inspection on an averaged sized home should take 3-4 hours or longer if it’s an older home.

3. Always attend the inspection. Many inspectors like for the homeowner to come towards the end of the inspection so they are not being followed around the whole time which can be distracting and time consuming. Ask your inspector what time you should arrive so he can go over everything in detail with you after he has completed the inspection. You are paying for his service and expertise, so ask a lot of questions!

4. Always follow up on your inspectors suggestions in a timely manner. There are some items in the home that the inspector will advise you to get a specialist opinion on. Maybe the AC unit or Electrical Panel for example. Don’t disregard this advice because of the additional cost of having another person come out. It’s best to be sure that everything is safe and in working order before you close on your home. You may even be able to get the sellers to pay for the additional opinion of a specialist. Always be aware of contract timelines regarding inspection reports and responding back to the seller with any repair requests.

5. Don’t expect your home inspector to know the future. He can only advise you on what he sees and what his experience is. But know that he is there to advise you and he is probably your best unbiased opinion there is regarding the home. He may say your hot water heater is old but still functioning, he has no way to tell how much longer it will last.

For more information on the home buying process or for any of your real estate needs, give Loreal Greathouse a call at (904) 940-5000.

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