When we fall in love with a home, it is usually because we can envision our family there and the good times we will have in the house. Maybe it’s the home’s floor plan or an amazing kitchen that pulled you in. But while the home may look to be in excellent shape, the home’s aesthetics can hide real problems.
A home inspection is one of the most common and highly recommended contract contingencies from home buyers. A Home Inspection will look at far more than the curb appeal, climbing, and digging to discover real issues that are not always apparent when you view the home with your real estate agent.
A recent survey by the National Association of REALTORS® found that 14% of sales are never finalized due to the home inspection, the third-largest reason. A home inspection is going to educate you about practical information that you should be aware of in your potential new home. This is one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime – it should be a smart and sound one.
So, what are the reasons why you should have a home inspection when buying a home? Here are 5 of the top reasons to have a home inspection when buying a home.
Cost-Efficient
For a few hundred dollars, an inspection can pay for itself in savings. Things like safety hazards, poor structural designs, water leakage in basements and roofs, and defective appliances can end up costing buyers a lot of money. A home inspector can document these issues and save buyers these expenses. A quality home inspection can keep you from having to pay tens of thousands of dollars in repairs costs.
Safety
An important part of the home inspection is to make sure the home is safe. The inspector will look at the electrical system and make sure it is in proper working order. A home inspection will also assess the foundation and other structural elements of the house. If the house is not structurally sound, this major red flag will be included in the report. If you choose to get a radon (an odorless gas that can cause lung disease) test, you will understand if the radon levels in the house are at safe levels.
Maintenance Costs
A home requires ongoing maintenance. Things wear out and break. Home inspections aren’t just for present circumstances; they can be used as tools for future planning. Money spent on a home inspection now may save on costly repairs down the road.
Negotiation Leverage
You have a huge amount of leverage with an inspection report. You can ask the seller to fix the problems in the report, renegotiate the asking price or ask the seller to contribute more to the closing costs.
Peace of Mind
An inspection report can help buyers feel confident about their purchase, eliminating buyer’s remorse. It can guarantee that you understand the condition of the home upon purchase, reducing the chance for major surprises shortly after moving in.
Thinking of buying or selling and need a referral for an inspector? Reach out to a CENTURY 21 Scheetz agent today.
