A home-buying process many times seems endless. There is attending open houses, having to make that difficult choice between must-haves from nice-to-have, identifying your dream home, and finally, making the offer before someone else locks down that said dream home! When you go to inspection day, make no mistake, you should go, it can feel like it is finally the end of the long process. But make no mistake, this is just the beginning of the hard work on your end.
A home inspection is a crucial step when buying a home and should not be overlooked or rushed. The inspection process can be just as nerve-wracking for the buyer as it is for the seller. It is important to pay close attention during this process to take steps to avoid common mistakes.
Continue to read to find these 5 common mistakes to avoid when you attend the inspection of the home of your dreams.
1. Forgoing an Inspection
It is common knowledge that you should get a home inspection on a home when buying a previously-lived-in house. However, you would be surprised how many people skip over this when buying new construction. Just because it's new doesn't mean it is free from underlying issues. Word of advice: don't skimp out on any extra inspections needed for your property. For example, pools, septic systems, or wells.
2. Not Present for the Inspection
You may find it tempting to let the inspector do their thing and read the report later if even that. We would advise heavily against this. Inspectors should report on anything out of the usual they find, no matter how minor. Hearing the inspector's comments directly can help you avoid any missed potential issues, especially if you can ask direct questions. This can ultimately help figure out what items from the report are a concern that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
3. Skipping Out on Making the Rounds with the Inspector
When present for an inspection, don't squander the opportunity to learn more about the home you are buying. Take the opportunity to take a closer look at parts of the home you wouldn't normally be interested in.
4. Expect a Perfect Report
Home inspections are not a pass-fail test, all homes have some type of flaw. Don't be surprised if your home inspection uncovers many different types of deficiencies, as many of these can be relatively minor. If you do not prepare yourself for the depth of a home inspection, it may sour your opinion of the home, even when these blemishes are expected. To avoid this, ask questions to understand the magnitude of the issues uncovered, so you can prioritize the nice-to-repair items from the must-repair-soon issues.
5. Focusing on the Wrong Blemishes
Not all infractions in your home may show are equal. An inspection is a chance to find out about significant red flags that pop up on the property. These faults are the ones you may want to focus on when it comes time for negotiating with the seller(s). Sellers may be more receptive to a presentation of a reasonable list of demands, not an overload of minor things to fix.
Our tip is this: follow up with a re-inspection to give you peace of mind, which is the total point of the inspection in the first place.
For more tips on home inspections, and what to expect when attending one, contact us!
