Why You Should Always Get a Home Inspection
Buying a home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. It’s smart to take every precaution possible to protect yourself during the purchase process. One of the simplest ways to safeguard yourself against the potential pitfalls of a bad investment is to get a home inspection before closing.
Why is a home inspection recommended before sealing the deal on a property? Because it’s your first and best chance to gauge the condition of a home before you buy it, to save you the trouble of buying a property that’s not worth the money you’re about to pay for it.
Why do you need a home inspector?
A home inspection gives you—and a well-qualified home inspector—the opportunity to examine the house you’re buying from top to bottom, inside and out. It’s your best chance to understand the condition of the property and any maintenance, repairs or red flags that might change your mind about going through with the sale.
A professional home inspection covers every major infrastructure component of the property, including the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and the landscape itself. Your home inspector will be looking for any signs of damage or compliance problems, as well as with an eye for condition reporting. When they’re done, you’ll know almost everything there is to know about the condition of your home and the many vital systems that comprise it.
7 reasons to get a home inspection before buying
There are many home inspection benefits that make paying for one well-worth the price. A few hundred dollars paid to an inspector could save you tens of thousands down the line—or, make you aware of any other expenses you need to start budgeting for if you decide to buy.
Why have a home inspection? Here’s a look at some of the ways a home inspection protects you against making a bad investment—and how it can help give you peace of mind when buying a home.
- An opportunity to back out. If your home inspection turns up major issues that weren’t disclosed upfront, it’s a chance for you to back out of the sale. Foundation issues, black mold or other sight-unseen problems can cost thousands to remedy, and you might choose to walk away rather than deal with them.
- Identify permitting issues. People modify their homes all the time, but not always through the correct channels. Buying a home without properly permitted improvements could leave you dealing with fines and fees later down the line. Your home inspector will pull permits to make sure your home is on-the-level as-is.
- Illuminate safety hazards. Sometimes, a home inspection will turn up dangerous hazards that prevent the sale of a home until they’re fixed. Gas leaks, fire hazards and infrastructure issues can all become apparent during an inspection. They’ll not only save you from inheriting repair costs; they could save your life!
- Improve negotiations. Double-tapped breakers. Missing handrails. Sunken concrete. Minor issues like these are trivial on their own, but the cost of fixing them all can add up. After a thorough home inspection, you might choose to negotiate these costs with the seller—either having them fixed before the sale or taking money off the sale price.
- Forecast future upgrades. Your home inspector will thoroughly inspect the critical infrastructure of the home, including the roof, plumbing, electrical and HVAC. They’ll be able to tell you when it was installed, what condition it’s in and if there are any upgrades needed. This can help you better-understand what kind of costs you’re in for in the future.
- Understand the home better. During an inspection, you’re going to explore every nook and cranny of the home. This is one of the best ways to get acclimated with the property you’re about to buy, including any features or oddities you didn’t see during an open house or walk-through. It’s a great way to get comfortable with your soon-to-be home.
- Check against insurance. Buying a new home means insuring your property properly. Many insurers require a home inspection before they’ll write a policy, and depending on what the inspector turns up, you could find yourself needing a certain type of policy or rider, such as flood insurance.
Ultimately, it’s in every buyer’s best interest to get a home inspection before they close on a property. A home inspector will do a deep-dive into every aspect of the home and compile a complete report of any issues, big or small. You’ll get the information you need to proceed with the sale with confidence—or back out of a situation that could cost you much more than you intended to pay.
Common questions about real estate home inspections
Why do I need a home inspection? It’s a question many soon-to-be homeowners find themselves asking. In fact, it’s just one of several important questions worth answering about home inspections. Here are some of the most common:
- How long does a home inspection take? It depends on the size of the home and the property you’re purchasing. On average, expect about one hour per 1,000 square feet of home. Average home inspection times can range from 2.5-4 hours for homes in the Greater Baltimore area.
- How much does a home inspector cost? Again, it depends on the scope of the inspection. For most people, the fee to hire a home inspector is a couple hundred dollars. The larger your home, the more time it’ll take to inspect and the more you can expect to pay.
- What does a home inspection cover? A professional home inspection covers virtually everything relating to home (and property) integrity. This includes the structure itself and everything in it, as well as any utilities and outbuildings on the property. Your home inspector will provide a detailed breakdown of what’s being examined.
- Is a home inspection required? It depends on the situation. In most cases, home inspections aren’t required to proceed with the sale of a property. However, in some cases, mortgage lenders may stipulate an inspection based on certain underwriting or loan qualification prerequisites. Regardless, every homebuyer should get one to safeguard themselves before the transaction is finalized.
Should you get a home inspection if you’re buying property? Absolutely! Even if it looks like it’s in great condition, an inspection will provide you with the peace of mind you need to sign on the dotted line and make it yours.
Get a home inspection in Baltimore
There are so many reasons why home inspections in St Charles, MD are important—most of them involve smarter, more confident decision-making. If you’re about to buy a home in Baltimore, make sure you’re getting a professional home inspection first.
If you’re getting ready to buy a home in Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel, Howard or Prince George’s Counties, contact Next Level Home Inspections for peace of mind.
