Smart Start Home Inspections

A person who is interested in buying a house will typically hire a professional home inspector to conduct a thorough evaluation of the exterior and interior of the home to ensure they are not investing in a property with hidden issues.

Home inspectors focus on examining the major components of the home, including the foundation, plumbing, electrical, and home systems, but they do not note cosmetic defects, like chipped or faded paint. While a home inspection is not required in most instances, some mortgage lenders may request a home inspection if the purchase price is notably higher than the price of the listing or if they have other concerns about the value of the property.

When a home inspector is walking around the outside of the home and combing through every room inside the home, they are examining the major components of the property.

• Exterior inspections will generally involve the inspector checking the foundation, roof, windows, doors, gutters, garage, patios, decks, sidewalk, driveway, and irrigation system.
• Interior inspections focus on the major home systems, like the furnace, water heater, and air conditioner, but home inspectors will also look at the plumbing lines, electrical, ceilings, floors, interior walls, basement, and appliances.

In most cases, a home inspection for an average-sized property will take about two to three hours to complete. Even with a pair of inspectors, the inspection process will still take about 90 minutes to complete.

Homes that are larger than 2,000 square feet can add to the total duration of the inspection, with every additional 500 square feet of space requiring an extra 30 minutes to inspect.

Due to the potential for a follow-up appointment, discuss the expected duration with the inspector before hiring them.

The prospective buyer is typically responsible for the cost of a home inspection, though they may have their realtor handling the booking. On average, a home inspection can cost between $200 to $600. The final price depends on several key factors, including the size of the home, the location of the property, and the depth of the inspection report.

A home inspection can take place at any time. Homeowners that want to get to know their home better can hire an inspector to conduct a thorough investigation of the property to uncover any hidden problems. However, most home inspections will take place when the home is put up for sale.

After the seller has accepted an offer on the property, but before the final sale of the house, the buyer will be able to schedule a home inspection appointment. Depending on the results of the home inspection, the buyer may need to renegotiate the terms of the sale to ensure they are not stuck with a poor investment.

Once the home inspection is complete, the inspector will compile their findings in a home inspection report. When the buyer receives the inspection, they can review it with their real estate agent and use the details to renegotiate the terms of the purchase.

Buyers may ask the seller to complete specific repairs or may decide to negotiate a lower price, taking into account the necessary investment to fix any outstanding issues. In some cases, the inspection report may even provide grounds for an offer withdrawal, especially if the buyer had a contingency in the purchase agreement that covered the total cost of repairs.