Whether you’re buying or selling, a home inspection will be part of your process. You might wonder what’s involved, and what to expect from a home inspection. Let’s talk about it!
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is the process of having a qualified home inspector identify any potential problems in a home. An inspector will look for any potential safety or health hazards in the home and check that all systems in the house (like HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roof, foundation, and more) are in working order. An inspection is typically a requirement for any home purchase.
Home Inspections for Homebuyers
When you’re buying a home, you’ll want to make sure the home doesn’t have any unforeseen issues that could require expensive repairs down the road. While it’s impossible to identify every potential issue in a home, an inspection can pinpoint many possible items that need to be fixed.
If you’re buying a home, you can usually add in an inspection contingency. This type of contingency means that you can walk away from the transaction if major defects are uncovered during the inspection. Talk with your real estate agent about this if you want to include it in your contract.
Can homebuyers attend an inspection?
Yes! As a matter of fact, if you’re buying a home, you should try to attend as much of the inspection as you can. It will be a great chance to talk with the inspector about any potential issues and items that might require in-depth repairs.
Home Inspections for Sellers
As a seller, an inspection can feel nerve-wracking. You might be worried that new issues or expensive fixes could arise during the inspection. If there are small items that you’re aware of that need to be fixed, try to take care of those prior to the inspection to help limit the number of findings.
Many home sellers ask to see the inspection report on their home. This can be a little complicated - technically whoever paid for the inspection (most likely the buyer) owns the inspection report. Also, if sellers review the full inspection report, they may be required to disclose all of the findings to any future buyers if this deal falls apart. When buyers request repairs, they typically reference a specific item on the report and not the full report itself.
If you’re selling a home and have questions about your house inspection, talk with your real estate agent.
Should home sellers do an inspection before listing their home?
Ordering an inspection before listing your home could alert you to potential issues that will show up when a buyer orders an inspection. The average inspection costs around $300-$400 (depending on where you live), so it could be a smart decision to pay a little bit upfront to know what items might arise on an inspection while you’re under contract.
Can sellers attend a home inspection?
The usual answer to this question is no (unless the seller is ordering an inspection prior to listing the home for sale). It’s best for inspectors and the potential buyer to have access to the home without the seller present, since the homeowner could try to interfere or take offense to findings in the inspection. It can be challenging for sellers, since they typically have an emotional attachment to the home, but it’s usually best if sellers don’t attend.
Curious about the home inspection process, or just buying and selling? Reach out to me at 8z Real Estate for a conversation about your home goals.