If you are out to buy a new home, you have to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. It is a must for sellers to do the necessary repairs and upgrades before selling their home. As a buyer, it is your responsibility to check if these upgrades and repairs are sufficient to make the home livable. With all the fees you will shoulder for buying the home, it can be tempting to skip the home inspection. In this post, we’ll detail why doing so would be a big mistake.
Why You Shouldn’t Skip Home Inspection
Here are some reasons why you should secure the help of a licensed home inspector:
Awareness of Home Status
Doing a home inspection can give you an idea of the overall condition of the home. It allows you to plan what repairs and home maintenance costs you are likely to shoulder. If you think that the cost of all the repairs and upgrades will be too much for you, you can still decide to withdraw your offer. It can save you thousands of dollars if you know what you’re dealing with from the beginning.
Hazards of the Home
A home inspection can determine if the home is safe for the occupants of the house. A thorough study of the home can detect any hazardous substances like molds and carbon monoxide. Before you sign your home contract, look for a clause that stipulates the option to cancel your offer in case of hazard detection.
Show Illegal Repairs
Home inspectors can also detect if the alterations, additions, and repairs in rooms, basement, or garage were made following the building code or without a permit. For home buyers, this information is critical because it can significantly impact the taxes, insurance, and the value of the home. Remember, once you buy the house, these issues become your burden, both mentally and financially.
Serve as Your Protection
Home inspections should never be skipped if you are buying an “as-is” foreclosed home or short sale. You have to keep in mind that these homes – that have been unoccupied for a while – often have hazardous problems, such as mold and water damage issues, that can be too expensive to remedy. In some foreclosed properties, it is common to find missing plumbing lines.
Negotiate Better Deal
Findings in home inspections can serve as a negotiating tool that will allow you to get a better deal for the sale. You can either request repairs or even lower the price below the market value, mainly if there are repairs that you still have to do to make the home livable.
Assess Future Expenses
A qualified home inspector can tell you the age of most significant systems installed in your home, and with it, they can give you an approximation on when you should be replacing them or repairing them. By knowing the lifespan of your plumbing system, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, you can have an idea of the future expenses you are most likely to shoulder. It can have a major impact on your budget, choice of insurance, and type of warranties you may want to avail.
Protect Your Investment
Buying a home is a big investment, and the home inspection can allow you to protect it the best way possible. A huge plus of getting a home inspection is that you can also have access to valuable knowledge about properly maintaining your home and increasing its value in the future.
Having read these tips, you should now understand the immense value a home inspection brings. Consider having one for your future investment.
