Do I need a home inspection?
The short answer is yes. Buying a new home is an expensive investment, possibly the largest one you'll ever make. A home inspection brings more clarity to what it is that you're buying and will help to mitigate the risk involved in such a purchase.
There are many potential problems that could either go unnoticed, or could lead to bigger problems, that a home inspector is trained to uncover.
Can I inspect the home myself?
We very strongly advise against attempting to perform the property inspection yourself, for a number of reasons. Even if you do have a lot of experience with the systems of a home, it is still advised to hire a professional home inspector.
- It's far too easy to become emotionally attached to a home. It's very important to have an objective party perform the inspection to provide a professional, unbiased assessment.
- A professional home inspector has been trained to look for specific issues, and is familiar with a wide variety of situations.
- A good home inspector knows the difference between major and minor issues, and which minor issues can lead to major problems down the road.
How long does a home inspection take?
A home inspection typically takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the size of the home and number of issues discovered. A home inspection that takes less than 2 hours is generally not thorough enough to be useful.
When you request your inspection, we can give you a better idea as to how long the process will take.
May I attend the inspection?
Absolutely! While your presence is not required, we strongly encourage you to come along for the inspection. You'll have a much better idea of the condition of the home when you can see any issues first-hand.
You'll be able to benefit a lot more from the inspector's experience and knowledge if you are present at the inspection. You can ask questions and receive home maintenance tips — especially helpful for first-time home buyers.
If I'm selling a house, should I get a pre-listing home inspection?
You're more likely to have a quick sale if the house has already been properly inspected. You can opt to provide potential buyers with a copy of the inspection report, or you can address any issues before listing the house for sale.
Major problems discovered during a home inspection may result in serious transaction delays. If you know about these problems ahead of time, you'll be in a better position for a smooth transaction.
Do you have questions that weren't covered here? Get in touch with us and we'll be happy to address all of your concerns.