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Congratulations on your recent home purchase! Experienced home buyers such as Steven Taylor, the manager of Taylor Equities, know that having your offer accepted is not the final step in buying a home. Before officially committing to the purchase, you will need to arrange for a home inspection. Read on for some ideas about what to expect from this process.
Areas of Inspection
Your home inspector will walk the entire property, including both indoor and outdoor space. He or she will test all of the appliances and record any issues or malfunctions. Some of the most important potential issues for which the home inspector will be screening are evidence of water damage, roof deterioration and plumbing problems. If the inspection uncovers any serious issues in these areas, you may wish to consider lowering or withdrawing your offer.
Time Commitment
The amount of time that a home inspection demands is dependent on the size of the home you are purchasing, its condition, the helpfulness of the current owner and the thoroughness of the inspection. Usually, an inspection will take between two and four hours. While this is a significant amount of time, it is important that you attend the inspection and ask questions along the way.
Cost
In most cases, you will be responsible for paying for the inspection as the buyer. For your own protection, you should choose a home inspector who does not have a relationship with the seller or selling agent of the property. If you are buying in the United States, look for an inspector who has been certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors. You can expect the cost of the inspection to be between $200 and $400.
Make sure to take your home inspection seriously in order to avoid any unwanted surprises down the road. Study the inspection report carefully in the days following the inspection, and do not hesitate to reach out to your inspector with any outstanding concerns.
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