When you’re planning to buy a new home, you want to take all the steps to ensure that you’re making the best investment for yourself and your family. Among the ways to do this is by investing in a home inspection before signing any contracts.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a course of action that commonly takes place before buying a house. While this isn’t a “requirement” of the home buying process, it provides peace of mind to potential homebuyers by ensuring that the house has no hidden problems.
Inspection of the property usually takes anywhere from 3-4 hours, but the duration can vary based on the size of the property. The process includes thoroughly inspecting all parts of the house to identify potential issues and ensure everything is in good condition.
The inspector will audit for any signs of water damage, mold, and pests. Additionally, they will check the electrical, plumbing, and major appliances like air conditioning units, furnaces, and water heaters to ensure they’re in working order.
Other areas the inspector focuses on are the roofing and foundation. They’ll inspect for foundational cracks and sagging and the roofing system to ensure that it is watertight. As a new homebuyer, it’s critical to know that these major components of the home you’re considering buying do not require any significant unexpected repairs or upgrades. When they complete the inspection, they provide a detailed report of their findings to help you make a more informed decision.
A Third-Party Home Inspection Creates Leverage For All Parties
A third-party home inspection isn’t just beneficial for home buyers. Sellers gain more leverage with potential buyers when they know the condition of their property. With this information, both parties can negotiate for repairs or make provisions for an extended warranty for a set time after closing or not move forward with the deal unless certain conditions get met.
For example, the third-party home inspector found cracks in the foundation, which is a pretty serious issue that needs fixing. As a potential buyer, this could be a red flag that sways you from purchasing the property. But on the other hand, this imperfection might not be a big deal if the seller is willing to make concessions, like accepting a lower bid or paying to make needed repairs as part of the purchase agreement.
When Is The Best Time To Schedule A Home Inspection?
As a new homebuyer, any property you’re considering is worth the cost of inspection before signing your name on a mortgage or purchase agreement.
However, home inspections aren’t reserved just for new home buyers. Homeowners should schedule regular home inspections to identify and fix potential problems with their homes before they become significant issues or cause safety hazards.
Are you searching for or thinking about selling your Colorado Springs area home? If so, let’s talk! Please get in touch with me to start the conversation today!