The Why’s and How’s of Home Inspections
Getting a thorough home inspection from a licensed professional is an important part of the home buying process – but what really is a home inspection and why do you really need one?
Home inspections are an all-encompassing examination of the condition of your home – or the home you’re looking to purchase. Since a new (or new to you) home is one of the most important purchases you’re likely to make, it’s important to know exactly what you’re going to be getting. A good home inspection will do more than help you get a general idea of the home’s condition; it will also help give you the peace of mind to know that you’ve thought of everything.
Most of the time, when we look at a home, we’re looking at the investment, the emotions and the potential of the property and that can sometimes cloud our view of the details. An inspector, on the other hand, will look for things like the electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, insulation and other structural features bringing to notice any issues that we may not think of.
Most of the time, home inspections are done during the home-buying process – but that isn’t always the case. But regardless of when you get an inspection, there are three things the process can do for you:
1. Home Inspections Minimize Surprises – Whether you’re buying a home, selling one, or just looking to get an idea of things around the house that need doing, getting a professional and unbiased report of the condition of the home and its systems can save you from nasty surprises that can jump up at inconvenient times.
2. Home Inspections Help You Learn About Your Home – Most of the time, listings will provide general information about your potential new home’s characteristics and dimensions, but a home inspection report will go one step further and provide you with a professional’s view of systems and structural details the listing may leave out.
3. Home Inspections can Pinpoint Potential Issues before They Become Emergencies – Your home inspection report will include an overview of any areas, appliances, or elements of your house that are in need of replacement or repair. They can even catch the warning signs of bigger problems that you can fix before they become bigger problems.
Home inspections are a simple, and cost effective way to make sure that you have a complete grasp on everything about the property you’re investing in and can help you avoid taking your time, effort, energy and hard-earned cash and throwing them down into a money pit.
Need help finding a home inspector? Ask Joe or Brian and we can point you toward experienced professionals we trust.
