You’ve finally found your dream home—or so you think. A complete home inspection is designed to uncover any issues lurking in the unseen spaces.
Cosmetic improvements performed to add curb appeal can hide latent problems that may require thousands—or tens of thousands—of dollars to correct. Plus, the final inspection report provides invaluable information about the less-critical items worth addressing at your own pace if you move forward with the home purchase.
Here are four reasons why you shouldn’t skip getting an inspection:
1. Inspections Help You Make Smart Decisions
Buying a home is a significant life decision, and considering how much money is on the line, you don’t want to max out your budget only to find you’ve purchased a money pit. Some houses simply aren’t worth it.
If sellers aren’t willing to repair items before the close of escrow (COE), or offer a reasonable repair credit, you may want to think twice about homes that:
- Need a new roof
- Have latent leak or water damage issues
- Are riddled with mold
- Have significant structural damage due to pests
- Show signs of grading or drainage issues
- Have a cracked or significantly damaged foundation
The only way to know whether the house you’re looking at is one of these money pits is to schedule a home inspection. This will reveal all of the problems with a prospective home, no matter how small, and allow you to make an informed decision.
2. Inspections Keep You Safe
Not all home issues are cosmetic or minor annoyances. Some pose serious safety risks. For example, a home with amateur wiring or an unsafe electrical box is much more likely to catch on fire. Insurance companies have been aware of this for quite a while – which is why they ask for an inspection to be done – and you should be aware of it, too.
Also, ask your real estate agent about the home’s storm or flood history. People can hide tremendous structural damage by throwing new roofing materials over the old and repainting. You don’t want to move in and have your roof or structural elements fall apart on you; it’s a safety issue!
A home inspection will reveal issues like these and allow you to pass on the home or make the necessary repairs before buying, ensuring you and your family are safe.
3. Inspections Help You Prepare for the Future
It’s not always about the money pit issue. If you find your dream home, and it’s a serious fixer-upper, it still might be worth it in the long term. However, the minimal amount you spend on a full home inspection gives you a detailed and itemized “to-do list” so you can move forward with repairs and recommendations as money allows.
Not only will an inspection be able to give you an idea of the houses current condition, it will also let you know what to expect from the future. Your inspector can answer questions like how long your appliances will last and when you’ll need to replace the roof.
4. Inspections Could Save Thousands on Final Negotiations
Not every issue with a home is a deal breaker. In fact, some can be deal makers. Depending on what we find, you and your real estate agent can use the results of a home inspection to negotiate with the seller. You can either ask for a discounted price or try to work the cost of any necessary repairs into your contract. Either way, an inspection could save you money.
Schedule a Home Inspection With SIP Before Finalizing the Sale
The great news is that a home inspection doesn’t take long in the grand scheme of things, and it could save you from dealing with nightmare house that costs far more than anticipated. Here at Super Inspection Pros (SIP), we guarantee a home inspection within 72 hours of contacting us, and you’ll have a detailed, accurate final inspection report within 24 hours of the inspection.
A few hours of your time is a small price to pay for peace of mind. So, if you’re currently in the process of buying a house then there’s no good reason to skip out on a home inspection. Contact SIP today for more information on our process or to schedule an inspection of your home.
