Is a Home Inspection Necessary Before Buying a House?

Is a home inspection necessary? Although it may not be a requirement, it certainly is a good idea.

Let’s face it. Buying a home is, most likely, the largest expense you will ever make in your life. This should be the time you want to make the best possible decision and the only way you can do that is to make an informed decision. The best way to make an informed decision is to have the home you wish to purchase inspected by a professional.

A Perfect House

There is no such thing as a perfect house. At least not that I have found, and I’ve inspected a lot of houses! There are homes that have very little wrong with them, and there are homes that need a lot of time and money to bring them up to current standards. The purpose of a home inspection is to provide an assessment of the current condition of the property. That’s it. No smoke and mirrors. Just factual information that you can use in your decision-making process.

Flips

I’ve inspected houses that were purchased and then “gussied up” to sell and make a quick profit. Some are done well. Some are done very poorly. Unfortunately, they look all nice and new and shiny from the outside, and unless you know where to look, you can actually be purchasing a real problem and not even know it.

Electrical Issues

Electrical fires are the third most common reason for fires in the home. I’ve seen a lot of homes with DIY wiring over the years, and I can attest to the fact that a lot of it was not done well. This is complicated even more when dealing with older homes with outdated electrical systems like knob and tube. In fact, some insurers will not even cover a home with knob and tube wiring.

Overloaded electrical panels are another problem. Here’s a hint. If the circuit breakers are not labeled, that’s a red flag that DIY work was done. A qualified electrician will label the circuit breakers.

What to Expect

A home inspector looks at the things that aren’t pretty. Things like the heating and cooling units, water heaters. They can tell you how old they are and if their life expectancy.

One thing everyone wants to work is the plumbing. Do you know the signs of plumbing problems? Your home inspector will!

Is the ventilation adequate on the home you are considering purchasing? How about the home’s insulation?

Home inspectors will move smaller obstacles like boxes, but don’t tear open walls or pull up floors to do their inspections. But don’t worry, they do know where to look for clues that potential problems exist if they can’t visually inspect an area.

Typically, the deficiencies a home inspector will point out are major items that cost over $1000 to remedy. A good home inspection report will provide you with a list of things that need to be addressed immediately (major issues) and those that can wait.

Can You Identify Problems Yourself?

By knowing where potential problems lurk, you can do your own home pre-inspection and avoid making offers on a home with problems. This will save you both time and money during your home search. When you think you have found the right home, that’s the time to make your offer and schedule a professional home inspection.

Not sure what problems to look for? Our free list of common problems found during home inspections is a great place to start.

Get a Home Inspection Before Closing

It may seem obvious, but the time to have a professional home inspection is prior to purchasing your home. I had clients who booked me to inspect their home after the sale had closed. Their comment “We should have done this sooner.”

Is a Home Inspection Necessary?

Do you really need a professional home inspection? Yes, if you want to feel confident in your decision to purchase a home, it’s in your best interest to do so. A home inspection will provide you with an assessment of the home’s condition at that moment, the good and the bad. The inspection will provide you with the facts you need to decide if the home is worth the investment of your money.