Home Inspection – What to Expect

I’m a huge advocate for home inspections and encourage everyone to get one. Although you’ll pay out-of-pocket for a home inspection, it’s worth every dime.

A home inspection will give you a good picture of what you’re getting into with a new house and it can uncover major issues with your home that might have been overlooked. Even a home that has been completely remodeled could have issues.

Here is what you need to know about your home inspection:

It’ll cost you

Inspections are one of those things that you pay out-of-pocket for. They are non-refundable and paid directly to the home inspector. If the sale on this home doesn’t go through, you will have to pay for another inspection on the next one; keep this in mind when negotiating repairs or before deciding to walk away from a contract. (Talk to your realtor about your contract obligations. Home inspections are usually the only time you can get out of a contract. Once you sign the contract, you are legally bound by the terms of the contract)

You will need to be present for the home inspection

Being present at the home inspection is a good thing. You get the opportunity to see the home again through the eyes of the inspector and spend more time there getting to know the place. You can take pictures, measure windows, or whatever else you didn’t think to check out during your showing. Spending time with a home inspector you will get a good lesson in what it takes to be a homeowner.

Something will come up

Rarely does a home inspection happen without issues. Do not be alarmed when the inspector starts pointing out potential problems. The inspector’s mission is to uncover any areas of concern and make sure you have a good understanding of what you are taking on. Listen and ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You don’t have to worry about remembering it all; the inspector will send you a written report after it’s all finished.

They won’t tell you what to do

Home inspectors will not tell you whether to buy a house or not; that decision is entirely up to you. New home buyers unfamiliar with home repairs might benefit by classifying issues as major or minor repairs. This classification can help them put into perspective their concerns and help them make an informed decision. Negotiating repairs is a common occurrence when buying a home.

Ask for repairs to be completed

There will be things that fail a home inspection. Don’t assume you know what the seller will say if you ask for repairs; they, too, want to get this deal done. I encourage you to ask for all major repairs to be completed as a starting point, and you won’t lose out on the contract if they decide not to do them.

They will accept your request, make another offer on the repairs or let you know if they decline; but whether or not you move forward is YOUR decision at this stage of the process.

I’ve heard people complain about the cost of a home inspection but it’s saved many of people from making a bad decision, and for others, it gives them assurance and peace of mind that this is the house for them. A home inspection is the right thing to do.

Be Prepared for Repairs On Your New Home With A Home Warranty Plan

HomeMemership is kind of like a road side assistance program for your car – but it protects your home. With a HomeMemership play you will have peace of mind knowing that if you do have a home appliance or major system breakdown you have one convenient number to call and one of our specialized, pre-vetted professionals will be on their way to repair or replace your covered item.

We do warranties differently by making sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you buy. Our built-in Q&A capacity during the checkout process helps make this promise a reality, and customizable plan options allow you to choose coverage that best fits your needs.

Plus it includes Members-Only Discounts towards home services, retail shops and more. From lawn care to interior decorators and carpet cleaners, our warranty offers immediate benefits that go beyond standard long-term protection. Your membership gets you discounts from local businesses on services for your home so you can save money now and later.

You just invested a large amount of money into a home – add a HomeMemership Plan to give you peace of mind in case anything breaks in your new home.