As you are writing up a contract for a home you are interested in buying, you have the option to put in a home inspection contingency. This means that you are asking the seller to let you have the home inspected before finalizing the deal. While some people pass on the home inspection, the majority realize that this is very important. If you don’t believe you need to order a home inspection consider the following bits of information:
1. Find out what is wrong, no matter what it may be. A home inspector is going to review the property with a fine tooth comb. He will check everything from the roof to the foundation and all the details in between. Simply put, if you hire a reputable home inspector nothing is going to fall through the cracks. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.
2. You can ask questions along the way. While your home is being inspected you should follow the inspector and ask any questions that come to mind. You may not have much to say, but from time to time you will probably find something that needs clarification. This is your time to ask any and every question that is on your mind. After all, you have a professional waiting to give you the advice you want.
3. If something is broke you can ask the seller to fix it before moving forward with the deal. This may or may not suit the needs of both the buyer and seller. Obviously, some things you will be able to handle on your own. But others, such as a leaky roof, may be best left to the seller due to the high cost of the work. Work with your agent to determine what, if anything, you should ask the seller to take care of before the closing date.
4. You may find that something is wrong that you just don’t want to deal with. For example, a cracked foundation is a very big deal. Is this enough to turn you away from a home? Only you can answer this question. While you don’t want to run into any major problems, it is better to find them during the home inspection than after you move in – at that point you are 100 percent responsible.
5. Learn what to watch for in the future. Even if nothing is wrong, a home inspector can give you an idea of what to watch for down the line. For instance, the roof may be in good shape right now but need replacing within five years or so. It is good to collect this sort of information from your home inspection.