Are you buying your first home? If so, don't skip out on your opportunity to have a home inspection done before you close. By having a better understanding of what home inspections are and what they entail, you can protect yourself as a first-time homebuyer.
What Does a Home Inspection Entail?
A home inspection involves hiring a professional to come out to a home that you are purchasing. The inspector will take a thorough look at the home inside and out, making note of any maintenance or structural issues that they may notice. For example, a home inspector may notice an uneven step on the front porch of a property that may pose a tripping hazard. This, and all other issues, will be noted in a formal report that is given to the homebuyer once the inspection is completed.
Some common areas of a home that an inspection covers may include:
- exterior siding
- HVAC systems
- roofing
- plumbing
- windows and doors
Typically, a home inspection will not cover pest damage or radon testing unless these services are purchased separately.
Why Have a Home Inspection?
A home inspection can alert you to potential problems that you otherwise may have overlooked. These issues may affect your decision to move forward with the purchase. Even if a home inspection comes up clean, it gives you added peace of mind before closing.
If you're taking out a mortgage to pay for your home, there's a very good chance that your lender will also require a home inspection as a stipulation of your purchase.
What to Do With Your Home Inspection Report
If you choose to attend your home inspection, your inspector should verbally communicate their findings to you at the time of the appointment. From there, you should also receive a written report with more detailed findings. If there are any major issues with the home, it is not uncommon to renegotiate with the sellers before closing. For example, you could ask the sellers to remediate mold damage found in the attic or provide a credit to have this done at closing.
A home inspection can provide you with valuable information before you buy a home, so don't pass up your chance to schedule one.
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
