Do You Need A Home Inspection?
- Zachary Taylor
- Mar 12, 2022
- 4 min read
Yes. The home inspection is your biggest weapon during the purchase of a home.
By Zachary Taylor
You need a home inspection. Today's article will shed some light on a few different home inspection scenarios to help you understand why they are so important.
A quality home inspection will help you see the bigger picture. And serves as a tool to use during the bargaining process. Being able to take the findings of your report back to the sellers and demand remediation on any issues that arise is a great advantage. You see, while you're oohing and aahing at the light fixtures and the colors on the walls and the stained glass windows and the quartz countertops, your home inspector is busy tsk-tsking at the improvised electrical wiring and the improper plumbing and the giant crack in the foundation that's filled with caulk. These are small details that can be easily missed during an open house or even a walkthrough with your realtor. But your home inspector has an eye trained specifically for locating these kinds of problems.
Home Inspectors are Excellent Detectives
But They're Not Superman
Think of your home inspector like Batman - the world's greatest detective - they can't see through walls, like Superman, but they have a wide array of tools that they use to spot evidence that any regular person might miss. And they will follow that evidence to see what is really going on. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a Batman on your team, here's your chance.
#1: Budgeting and Finding Your Specialist
Nothing lasts forever
A home inspector will be able to tell you what you need to budget for. You may not be able to tell how long the roof will last, or if the house has outdated electrical wiring, or if the furnace is on its last legs. Your home inspector will be able to identify these problems and give you a good idea of when you can expect to have to shell out to replace, repair, or upgrade the home's systems. They will also be able to tell you what kind of expert you need to contact to complete these tasks. Be they electrician, plumber, roofer, general contractor, structural engineer, or just a neighborhood handyman, inspectors know the right professional for the job.
#2: New Construction Inspections
Not All Houses Are Created Equal
Even brand new houses can have issues which a trained eye will be able to catch. A slab might not have set properly before the builders started construction, the roofing system might not have been stabilized effectively, the plumber might have used old materials. Its important to keep in mind that builders are on a budget and the lower they come in on that budget the higher their profit margin. A new home with systems that aren't up to code will eventually become your financial responsibility. Your home inspector is on your side, giving you the report that details things like these and providing you with the ammunition necessary to get those problems corrected before you sign off on the house.
#3: Radon, Mold, Termite, and Other Inspections
Add-ons are Your Friends Sellers are Not (Unless You're Buying Your Friends' House...)
Hidden problems like radon (a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas) and mold to more critical issues such as wood destroying organisms and water penetration might cost you a little bit extra to have your inspector detect, but remember, the sellers would rather you not discover these issues at all. If you don't, then they get to pass the future expenses off to you. A good home inspection, complete with the right add-ons, will reveal all of these and more. Then, you can return to the sellers and request that they pay for any remediation necessary.
#4: As-is Listings
It'll Cost You in the Long Run
Right now, there are loads of As-is listings on the market because its a seller's market and they know that there are buyers out there who are desperate enough to waive their home inspection contingency to make their offer look better. Schedule one anyways. Its true that you won't be able to take any issues that come to light back to the sellers in this scenario, but at least you will know what you're getting into. From there you can make a well-informed decision as to whether the house is still worth buying. If something comes up that you don't think you can handle, like major termite damage for instance, you can walk away. Yes, you will lose your deposit and any other fees you paid, like due diligence or something, but at least you won't be on the hook for $15,000 in structural repairs.
Don't skip your home inspection, its not worth it.
And remember, if you're in the market for a home inspector in North Carolina, go ahead and use my online scheduler to book your next home inspection!
Until we meet in person,
Zac.
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