Home Inspection Checklist: Don’t Overlook These Key Factors

You’ve decided to buy a new home and you’re looking into hiring a home inspector. The idea of having someone come in and check out your new house before you make the purchase can seem like an unnecessary expense, but there are many reasons why you should never skip this important step. Here are just a few of the things that you might find during your home inspection that will impact the safety and enjoyment of your new property and why it’s so important to hire a home inspector who not only provides you with the best possible service, but also one who will help guide you through each aspect of the process.  You have to carefully plan out your selection process for Home Inspectors.

The right inspector
The right inspector should be accommodating. They should have a heightened skillset and knowledge base. You want to hire someone who is an expert in their field, so experience is key. For example, if you’re buying a home that was built before 1978, you’ll need to hire an asbestos inspector because it was common for insulation materials to contain asbestos prior to 1978.

A checklist
Determine the criteria that mean the most to you. Prioritize and rank those criteria, and weigh the candidates against that rating system. ; Review inspection reports; Talk with your real estate agent about a home’s condition.

Before the inspection
Do your research. Learn as much about the inspection process, so you can speak authoritatively when it comes time to interview your potential home inspectors (yes, you should interview them). If they want the business, they will entertain the conversation. To do your research, talk with friends and family who have recently purchased homes and ask for recommendations on local real estate agents and home inspectors. Another good resource is online reviews of local real estate agents and home inspectors. Make sure you are interviewing multiple people; just because someone has been in business for a long time doesn’t mean they are any good at what they do.

What should I look for?
It’s crucial to find a reputable, honest inspector who can give you an unbiased opinion about your prospective purchase. Remember, though, that a home inspection is designed to highlight issues with a house—not determine if it’s worth buying or not. As they say, there are no bad houses—only bad buyers. Once you’ve selected your new abode, consider these inspection considerations when deciding whether to buy

How do they conduct an inspection?
How do they inspect your home? Are they detailed and thorough? Do they test every aspect of your home, inside and out? If you’re buying a home, it’s crucial to understand how and where your money is being spent. Think about it—you don’t want to buy a house without knowing how healthy its foundation is or if it has any termite infestations. The same goes for using a Tampa Home Inspector as a seller.

What details should I be looking for?
You can never be sure how well a home is built or maintained until you look closely. For that reason, it’s important to ensure a comprehensive home inspection. Here are several details you should be looking for when performing your inspection: diligence, clarity, and comprehensive explanation. To learn more about these items or request an inspection, call me today! I’m here to help buyers and sellers each step of the way!  What inspection types do they do?  Do they offer wind mitigation and 4-point inspections?

How much will my home inspection cost?
A home inspection is one of your most valuable resources when buying a home, whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced investor. Before signing on any dotted lines, it’s important to be prepared with a thorough understanding of what will be inspected and how. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that you select a Tampa Home Inspector who can provide you with detailed information about the condition of your prospective home before purchasing it. When in doubt, you can visit our Pricing Tool here to see the cost of your home inspection.

What should I expect after my home inspection?
After your home inspection, a lot of questions are bound to be racing through your mind. What should I expect from my inspector? What’s my next step? Who will help me take care of all these issues? You’ll also likely be talking with your agent and/or seller about what you learned during your inspection. This checklist will help you walk away from your inspection with peace of mind and start thinking about where to go from here.