Many American families spend nearly $5,000 every year on essential home repairs.
That’s not a small number, and if you’re an Akron first time home buyer, you don’t want to end up spending that amount of money on top of your purchase price to fix problems you didn’t know were there.
We’ve put together this guide to walk you through the process of finding a home inspector let you know what to expect during the inspection.
So keep reading below!
How to Find the Right Inspector
The first step of the home inspection process is to find and hire the right home inspector. This can be a bit more complicated than you might anticipate.
Your real estate agent might recommend a specific inspector, but that doesn’t mean the inspector is a good fit for your home. It’s a good idea to look into a few other options as well.
So here’s what you need to know.
Do Some Research
Spend some time coming up with a list of possible home inspectors in your area. Then do some basic research to make sure they suit your needs.
For example, you should scroll through their website to see if they look like a professional, trustworthy company. You should also find out if they have the proper insurance and certifications (if they don’t show these on their website, you should give them a call and ask about them).
You should also stay away from any home inspectors who offer other services, such as home repairs. These home inspectors have a conflict of interest. They might make small problems seem a lot worse to encourage you to use their other services.
Get References
Once you have your list of a few possible inspectors, make sure you ask them for references. And then actually get in touch with those references.
Past clients will be able to tell you if the inspector did a good job and let you know what to expect if you work with them.
It’s also a good idea to go to online sites like Yelp to read reviews. If a home inspector has mostly negative reviews—or no reviews at all, you might want to take your business somewhere else.
Ask a Lot of Questions
Before you make your final decision and hire your favorite home inspector, make sure you ask a lot of questions. Some of these questions should include the following:
- How long have they been inspection homes?
- How many homes have they inspected?
- Do they have experience inspecting the type of home you’re buying?
- Do they have the necessary insurance/certifications/training/etc.?
You should also find out how much they charge so you can compare and contrast with other inspectors.
What to Expect During the Home Inspection
During your home inspection, the inspector will take a close and careful look at every detail in your home. At the end of the inspection, they’ll write a report that includes any issues they did—or didn’t—find.
Some of the features they will examine includes:
- The structural condition of the home
- The basement
- The foundation
- The plumbing system
- The electrical system
- The HVAC system (including heating and air conditioning)
- The roof
- The attic
- Appliances
- Potential pests (like bugs or rodents)
- Environmental issues (like mold, asbestos, or lead paint)
- The exterior of the home
You can talk to the inspector before the day of the inspection to learn exactly what the process will look like. But even if you feel like you have a good idea of how the inspection will work, you should still make sure you do these things day-of.
Clear Your Schedule
Make sure you are free for the entire day when the inspection rolls around.
Odds are, the inspection won’t take that long, but you should be prepared for any setbacks or unforeseen issues. You don’t want to leave the home before the inspection is finished.
If you have a tight schedule, ask the inspector in advance how long they think the process will take. There are many factors, such as the size and age of your home, that can make the inspection longer or shorter.
Stay with the Inspector
You aren’t required to stay with the inspector—or even be present during the inspection at all. But you should do your best to be there. And you should stick with the inspector as much as possible.
They’ll be able to explain more about the home’s systems. Should they find any issues in the home, you’ll be able to see them firsthand and understand how serious they are.
Ask Even More Questions
Always ask questions.
Don’t worry about asking too many. You should understand the condition of everything in the home before you buy it. Otherwise, you might be stuck paying for expensive repairs.
Some of the questions you should ask include things like:
- How do we fix that?
- How bad is it?
- Can you show me how (this) works?
- What should we fix first?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help inform your decision about whether should stick with it and make the purchase.
Home Inspection Guide for an Akron First Time Home Buyer
If you’re an Akron first time home buyer, you need to make sure you hire the right home inspector. Missing a serious issue during the inspection can cost you a lot of money further down the road.
Not sure where to find a quality home inspector?
Make sure you click here to schedule an inspection with us today!