Buying or selling a home can be a stressful experience, but we’re here to ensure you know what to expect during your home inspection.
A home inspection includes checking for any structural issues such as foundation cracks, roof leaks, plumbing issues, electrical wiring, heating/cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Depending on how big the property is, a home inspection typically takes 2-4 hours.
Ensure all inspection points are free from clutter, including any closets that might lead to a crawlspace or attic, and clearing some space around your home’s perimeter. Keep in mind it’s also important for us to check the functionality of all built-in appliances, electric, and gas. If you don’t plan to attend the inspection, make sure your inspector has access to the home, and all pets are properly contained or moved.
A home doesn’t pass or fail an inspection. Instead, a home inspection is a thorough audit of your home’s components. In most cases, there will be concerns marked on your home inspection report, but these are strictly informative.
While you can legally skip a home inspection in many cases, doing so could mean you may end up buying a home that has major issues that need to be fixed.
A home inspection can affect appraisals for two reasons: 1) The inspector may find something wrong with the property that would lower the value of the home, 2) The inspector may find things that need repair which could increase the value of the home. If the inspection finds issues that require repairs, then the seller has to decide whether they want to fix them themselves, or hire someone else to do it. If the buyer wants to purchase the home, he/she must be willing to pay for those repairs.