You have made your offer and you are finally under contract. Now, the process of writing checks for all things under the sun begins. You have all types of fees: lawyer fees, realtor fees. You are probably negotiating how much it will cost to handle the move, and you are putting together the down payment. The dream home is on its way to becoming reality.
At this point, you are probably looking for places to shave off a few bucks here and there. One of the things that you may be inclined to skip is the home inspection. You should avoid that temptation.
While a professional home inspection might be another $300 bill, that $300 could end up saving you thousands and thousands of dollars. In fact, there are 10 reasons why you should make sure that you get a home inspection.
In this article, we will cover those 10 reason, so you know how important a home inspection before buying is. If, after reading this article, you have more questions about scheduling a home inspection in NH or the surrounding region, then we invite you to contact us at Alpha Building Inspections. Call us at 603-816-1014 or request a quote anytime by contacting us online.
1. More Information
First and foremost, a home inspection will give you a full overview of all the major areas of a home, and the status of those areas. Are there insulation issues in the attic? Is there evidence of flooding in the basement? Is the hot water heater work efficiently? These, and many more, features will get a thorough inspection, which is “just what the doctor ordered,” when you are looking to buy a house that has not been sold in many years, or if you are looking to buy a house that was built back in the 1920s.
2. Finding Improper Additions
Just recently, Alpha conducted a home inspection and found that the previous owner installed a fancy retractable ladder into the attic. While the job looked like it was well done, it became immediately clear to our inspector that the ladder was installed improperly. The owner had cut partially through an important support beam, and the owner did not get proper permits for the job. That homeowner had to go through a few extra steps, and ensure that the seller had the town come an look at the work before the purchase went through.
Home inspections can reveal even bigger issues. If a home has an illegal room addition, which was done without proper permits, then that could result in issues involving insurance, usability, taxes, and overall price. A home inspection before buying will catch those things.
3. Identify Safety Issues
Mold, carbon monoxide, radon, all of those safety issues that are hard to detect need a professional home inspector to do all the proper tests. Once you are aware of those matters, then you can ensure that your contract includes a provision that gives you options if a safety issue is identified.
4. Peace of Mind with Foreclosed Properties
If you are making an “as is” purchase – which occurs with the purchase of foreclosed properties or short sales– then a home inspection is even more important. It is not uncommon to have copper missing from the walls, or other parts of the home essentially stolen because the property may have been left abandon for a period of time.
Thus, home inspections give you the protection you need to make sure that you are buying a home that is “move-in ready” as they say.
5. Great for Negotiation
A home inspection can become a topic for negotiation. It is difficult for sellers to ignore an objective home inspection done by a professional.
Also, having a home inspection report in hand indicates that you are not being unreasonable when asking for needed repairs. If the seller is not in a position, and has no desire, to make repairs consistent with the inspection report, then you can ask for a price reduction. In fact, a price reduction may be the preferable choice because you then can be in control of the repairs you need in your new home.
6. Estimate Future Costs
Another great thing about a home inspection is that it is like a report card for your home to be. It is a way of beginning in a new home knowing the status of the different systems in the house. Your home inspector will be able to give you an idea, for example, how old your hot water heater is, and how much longer of a lifespan you can expect from the heater. That gives you peace of mind to be able to plan for future repairs and replacements.
7. Insurance Pitfalls
Many insurance companies will not insure a home if there are particular issues with the house. Also, an insurance company will be loathe to insure something if certifications, like wind mitigation or a flood plan, do not exist. Your home inspector should be able to handle those certifications at the same time he or she is going through the inspection process with you.
8. Gives You a 30,000-Foot View
A home inspector can not only look at all the details of a home, but he or she will be able to give you an overall picture of the condition of the home. It is usually a good education for the homeowner-to-be to talk with a home inspector to learn tips on how to maintain a home, and ways to save thousands of dollars by being proactive with systems and features in the home.
9. Figure Out What is a “Deal-Breaker”
A home inspection is the best resource to figure out whether the repairs needed in a home are just too much for you too handle. If you have a set budget, and you learn from the home inspector of the amount you will need to do necessary repairs, then you can make an informed decision on whether it is ultimately the right house for you.
10. Gives You an “Out”
Related to the point just above, a professional home inspection gives the buyer one last opportunity to walk away from a transaction if the inspection reveals critical issues that make the buyer uncomfortable with a purchase.
Call Alpha Building Inspections For Your Home Inspection
At Alpha Building Inspections, we understand how important it is that you get the most out of the purchase of your home. We also know that you need to know everything about your home before buying. That is where our expertise comes into play. We do home inspections in NH and elsewhere.
Once an Alpha inspection is concluded, you will receive an accurate, easy-to-read, professional inspection report that outlines our findings and recommendations. With our reports, we include digital photographs to document property deficiencies, when necessary.
To learn more about home inspections in NH, please contact us at 603-816-1014 or request a quote anytime by contacting us online. Contact us today. We know that you will be impressed with our honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
