There are many fees and expenses that come with the purchase of a new home or the selling of an old one. Because of this, you may consider skipping the cost of a home inspection. However, a thorough home inspection can mean the difference of getting the home of your dreams or investing in a money pit.
Gathering Information about Your Home
Your home is made up of a complex set of systems. Each one of them, running smoothly, means that your home is healthy. The inspector runs through each system and makes sure it is top-notch, or they find the problems and point you in the right direction to fix them immediately.
Safety
Up-to-code houses come with the necessary equipment to ensure safety. That includes items such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, etc. All homes should be inspected for other hazardous materials like mold. If this is found before you buy your home, be sure to bring it up to your realtor.
Protection
Home inspections are even more critical if you are buying an “as-is” foreclosed property or short sale. Houses that have been boarded often develop hazardous problems, which are costly to remedy and pose serious health concerns. An inspector might even find that some of the copper pipes are missing. These are all things that can threaten the safety of your home.
Negotiating Tool
A home inspection also provides you with a comprehensive home inspection report, which serves as an invaluable tool when negotiating the home’s selling price. The inspection report gives you an opportunity to ask for repairs and/or request a price reduction or credit from the seller. You can ask your realtor for help in understanding what requests can and should be made to negotiate a better deal.
Learn to Protect Your Investment
A proper home inspector is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the overall condition of a home. Be sure to ask them for whatever advice they might have regarding the home’s systems and maintenance. Home inspectors are a valuable educational resource. Their advice may end up saving you from extensive and costly repairs down the road!
Wrap Up
It is important to know the ins and outs of your home, what systems are a part of it, and what you can do to make it the perfect place for you and your family. Before you decide to skip out on the expense of having a home inspection done, be sure to do your research! You will find that a home inspection is always a good idea.
