A home inspection may not be the most exciting part of purchasing a property, but it’s absolutely one of the most important. Without this, you never truly know what condition the home is in.
Here are five of the most common home inspection mistakes that buyers make:
- Neglecting to ask for an inspection: Even though most people understand the importance of an inspection, some forgo this as a means of saving time and money. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying an existing home or new construction, you have the right to an inspection.
- Looking for ways to save: Buying a home is expensive, so it’s only natural to seek ways to save money. Don’t choose the cheapest inspection option. Instead, choose the one that gives you the best chance of receiving a comprehensive report. An experienced and knowledgeable inspector may have higher rates, but you get more in return.
- Skipping the inspection: While you’re not required to attend the inspection, it’s something you should consider. This gives you the opportunity to hear the person’s opinion first-hand, ask questions and better understand what’s wrong (if anything).
- Getting in the way: It’s okay to attend the inspection and ask questions, but you don’t want to get in the way. Give your inspector space to do their job, and only jump in when necessary.
- Expecting a clean report: Even new construction homes often have things wrong with them. It’s unreasonable to expect a perfect report.
After your home inspection is complete, it’s time to review the report in great detail to decide what to do next. If there are only minor issues with the property, you may be okay with pushing forward without asking the seller to fix them.
However, if there are major issues, such as a leaking roof or cracked foundation, you should assess the situation and determine how to best resolve the issue.
You have the right as a buyer to negotiate repairs with the seller. Furthermore, once the repairs are complete, you can have another inspection.
If you run into any trouble with the home inspection process, don’t hesitate to learn more about your legal rights. This will help you work through the problem with the idea of finding a mutually acceptable resolution.