Preparing for Your Home Inspection After an Accepted Offer
Once your offer on a home has been accepted, the next critical step before closing is to schedule a home inspection. In many cases, your offer may include a home inspection contingency, allowing you to renegotiate the price, request repairs, or withdraw from the agreement if serious issues are uncovered. Your real estate agent can guide you on the best course of action based on the inspection results.
How to Choose the Right Home Inspector
Selecting a qualified home inspector is essential to protect your investment. While your agent may recommend inspectors they’ve worked with before, evaluating potential inspectors yourself ensures you make the best choice for your needs. Realtor.com highlights five key areas to consider:
Qualifications
- Confirm what is included in the inspection and whether your specific property’s age, location, or unique features require additional certifications or specialties.
Sample Reports
- Request sample inspection reports to understand the inspector’s thoroughness. Detailed reports with clear findings and actionable recommendations are ideal when evaluating a prospective home.
References
- Ask for names and phone numbers of previous clients, and use their feedback to gauge the inspector’s reliability and expertise.
Memberships
- While membership in a professional association (like InterNACHI or ASHI) isn’t mandatory, it often signifies an inspector committed to ongoing training and education.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
- Determine what liability coverage the inspector has in case they overlook a significant issue during the inspection.
Additionally, ask your inspector if you can accompany them during the inspection. This provides an opportunity to see potential issues firsthand and ask questions as they arise.
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
Be prepared to see your inspector navigating all areas of the property—including climbing on the roof, crawling through the attic, and inspecting floors and foundations. Their objective is to thoroughly assess the property’s condition and identify potential issues. Key areas of focus often include:
- Roofing
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical components
- Heating and air conditioning systems
- Ventilation
- Appliances
- Windows
- Fireplace and chimney
- Foundation and structural elements
These evaluations ensure that no significant concerns go unnoticed, allowing you to make informed decisions about repair requests or negotiations.
Why a Quality Inspection is Critical
While skipping an inspection may be tempting in competitive markets, it’s essential to remember the stakes of purchasing a home. Ignorance may seem convenient in the moment, but knowing about critical concerns up front can save thousands of dollars and avoid headaches in the future.
Bottom Line
A reliable and thorough home inspection empowers you to make an educated decision about your property investment. Choose an inspector who is qualified, detailed, and willing to communicate their findings clearly. By working with a professional you trust, you’ll uncover necessary information to safeguard your investment and create confidence in your home purchase.
