Buying a home can seem overwhelming: Attending an open house. It is essential to distinguish between your must-haves and nice-to-haves. You are identifying your dream (sort of) home and making an offer, and negotiating the final price. It’s tempting to let out a huge sigh now that you have completed your work.
But don’t rush. It is essential to avoid running the home inspection, as it is one of the most critical steps in buying a house. The inspection process can be as stressful for buyers as for sellers. What happens if you fall in love with a home that has serious problems?
It is essential to be attentive during this confusing process and to take steps to avoid common pitfalls. What could go wrong? We can help. These are the mistakes you should avoid when you have an inspection of your dream home.
- To forgo an inspection in the first instance.
Most people know that they need to inspect a house they’re purchasing from another person. Michael Marlow is a Certified Master Inspector(r) and the owner of Veteran Home Inspections, San Antonio, TX. He has found that most buyers skip an inspection while buying new construction. This is a mistake.
He says that he has yet to inspect a home built after the construction boom and recommends that buyers not be too pushy with builders trying to discourage them from an inspection.
Another cautionary note: Do not skimp when it comes to extra inspections for your property. You should also consider pools, wells, and septic systems. Also, be aware of other potential problems, such as lead or radon, that may not be covered by a home inspection.
- Choose the most affordable inspection option.
Marlow states that there are many inspectors who charge meager fees for home inspections. This could be because they are new or inexperienced or they need help finding clients.
We aren’t saying that you shouldn’t choose an affordable inspection or that all affordable inspectors should be trusted. We recommend that you do your research before selecting the cheapest option.
If you aren’t in the Home Inspection in New Orleans LA business, it’s challenging to determine what credentials you are looking for. Marlow says there are sure signs that can be spotted. Marlow says that you should contact only inspectors who use the most recent equipment. For example, an inspector uses chemical swabs to test lead paint rather than XRF technology.
It would help if you asked your agent to refer you to a qualified professional. However, it would help if you also looked online for reviews before you commit to an inspector.
- Inspectors are not required to be present.
Are you tempted to allow the inspector to do her job and then read the report later on? It’s not worth it, advises Realtor(r) Bill Golden of Re/Max Metro Atlanta. He says that even a detailed report with photos is different from being there.
Golden states that an inspector must report on all items found, regardless of how minor. It is beneficial to hear the inspector’s comments and be able to ask questions in order to determine which items are really a concern.
Golden suggests that you attend the inspection’s end at the very least to review the findings. An assessment can take up to three hours. You can always have your agent accompany you to see what the inspector finds.
- The inspector should be kept from being seen.
Take the chance to get more information about your home while you’re there, advises John Mease, an Atlanta home inspector.
Mease states that buyers are invited to inspect the entire home.
He says that it is a waste to spend your time checking your email, and choosing colors for your new living space while the inspector works is not a good idea.
- Overly involved in the inspection
Golden also acknowledges that it is possible to be as well as present during an inspection.
Golden states, “It’s great for inspectors to follow them around to see what they find, but if you get in his way or spend too much time talking up to him, he may lose focus of the task at hand, and that could lead to you being distracted.”
Don’t try and do the inspector’s work. It can be frustrating for buyers to test water flow and appliances while an inspector is working.
Mease states that if a buyer operates a sink in the kitchen while an inspector tests the shower in the master bath, it can affect the system’s response.
- Expecting perfection in a report and overreacting if it isn’t
An inspection is not a pass/fail test. Every home will have flaws. Don’t be surprised to find 50 to 100 “deficiencies” during an inspection. Many of these might be minor.
He says, “Buyers who don’t know how to handle the inspection can be taken aback, and that can lead to a sour taste in their mouths.”
Asking questions is critical to understanding the scope of each issue, suggests Rob Nelson. This real estate broker at Center Coast Realty in Chicago recommends. This will allow you to distinguish “nice-to repair” from “must-be-repaired” defects.
- Focusing on the wrong thing
We have already mentioned that not all violations are the same. An inspection can help you find significant problems with the property, such as foundation issues, HVAC systems, or roof problems.
Nelson states that these are the things you should be focusing on when negotiating and negotiating with sellers.
Nelson warns that an inspection is not the right time to focus on small details such as a cracked outlet cover. I’ve seen sellers pull out of contracts after buyers gave them a list of minor issues that a visit to the hardware store could have fixed.
Sellers will be more open to a reasonable list. Do your research on the estimated cost of repairs so you can decide what is worth noting.
- I am not getting negotiated repairs reinspected.
After the repairs have been completed as agreed, obtaining a final signature from your home inspector is a good idea.
Marlow claims that he rarely did a reinspection in which all the agreed-upon repairs were completed. Worse, he’s been issued receipts for work he still needs to do.
A second inspection will provide you with peace of mind.
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