You’re looking to buy a new house – congratulations! Taking the leap into starting your new life is an exciting and rewarding move.
During your first home inspection, it’s easy to get carried away and skim over important parts of the process. Unfortunately, this is where many first time homeowners make mistakes that they pay for later.
Are you purchasing your first house in Northeast Ohio? Are you wondering what home inspection mistakes you need to avoid? Here are 7 common mistakes that you should know about.
1. Hiring the Cheapest Inspector
There’s a lot to think about when choosing a house inspector. You should never settle for the cheapest home inspector you can find. Instead, try to find an inspector who provides a lot of value for a fair price.
You’re investing a lot of money into your new home, so it’s important to put enough into finding an expert inspector as well. They can save you from headaches and further spending once you’ve moved into the home.
If you’re unsure of an inspector, a great place to look is on the internet. Search for reviews and testimonials that speak to the inspector’s expertise.
2. Neglecting to Have a Newly Built House Inspected
The thought of a brand new house is a comforting one for many. Being so new, there’s not likely to be many problems, right?
Sadly, this isn’t true.
If you’re in the market for a newly built home, you should still expect that it will have its own issues.
Newly built homes are often found to have quite a few defects. New construction is not perfect and could still need some work done before you move in.
A home inspector can make sure that your newly constructed home is up to par. They’ll also make sure that you’re ready for the cost of maintenance.
3. Neglecting to Attend the Inspection
Once you’ve chosen a trusted inspector and decided on a date for it to happen, you should make plans to be there. You’ll have a chance to meet the inspector and learn more about the details of your brand new home.
This also gives you a chance to dig deep into the potential issues with your new home. During this time, the inspector will explain the issues that they’ve found in detail. This is the time for you to ask any questions you have and bring up any concerns.
Looking through inspection reports together means you’ll be prepared to move in. You’ll also feel confident when negotiating with the seller.
4. Disregarding the Report
Once the home inspector has finished, they’ll present the report to you. It’s important to pay attention and understand what they’re telling you.
Many new homeowners make the mistake of quickly skimming a report rather than trying to understand it. This is often where problems begin.
A home inspection report is an important tool in your home-buying journey. It gives a clear indication of problems and what needs to be done to fix them. It tells you the minor issues and highlights the major ones.
This gives you the leverage to bring issues to the attention of the seller. From there, you’ll be able to fairly negotiate with them. This is a good way to have major problems fixed before you finalize the sale.
Always be sure that you properly understand the inspection reports.
5. High Expectations for Your New Home
It’s easy to have high hopes for a home that you’re excited about. Unfortunately, this can often leave new homeowners disappointed.
It’s best to go into a home inspection with an open mind so that you’re not disappointed with the results. No home is perfect and most have quite a few defects. These aren’t always major, however.
It’s important not to get too overwhelmed when presented with potential issues. Remember, they’re there to help you. With this in mind, you’re prepared for closing the deal in no time.
6. Remember, Home Inspectors Only Check the Surface
Home inspectors will tell you everything that is visibly wrong with the house. That means that everything that goes wrong with the house in the future is not their fault.
This is because they check the house at a surface level. There’s no way for them to tell if underground sewer pipes are damaged or defective, for example. It’s important to keep in mind that issues such as these could come up later.
Even the most thorough and expert home inspectors won’t be able to find issues like these. If things go south in the future with the house, it will not be the fault of the home inspector.
7. Forgetting to Have a Final Inspection After Repairs Are Complete
You’ve taken the issues into account that the home inspector brought to your attention on the report. You’ve used them to present issues that you’d like fixed to the seller before closing the deal. Now, the repairs are complete.
It’s time for another home inspection!
This is a good indicator of the house’s condition after the repairs. If the issues are in fact fixed, then the inspector will tell you this. But they’ll also be on the lookout for issues that have not.
This is a great way to be sure that all your conditions have been met before sealing the deal. It protects you and the seller to ensure that you’ve both made good on your deal.
Looking to Avoid Home Inspection Mistakes in Northeast Ohio?
Buying your first home is a big step towards your future. It’s important that the process goes well for you and the seller. You’ll want to avoid home inspection mistakes that will end up costing you later.
Using these 7 tips, you’re prepared to take on the home inspection with ease.
If you’re buying a house in Northeast Ohio, you’ll need a certified home inspector to get the job done. CLASS Home Inspection is ready to make your home inspection go smoothly.
If you’re prepared to have your new home inspected, schedule an inspection with us today!