If you’re about to purchase a new home, you should definitely consider getting a home inspection. While waiving the inspection may make you more appealing to the seller, since this will speed up the sale and reduce the amount of contingencies, an inspection can save you thousands of dollars in repairs or help you negotiate a lower price. You also want to know what you’re getting into, and if the home of your dreams ends up being too good to be true, you could find yourself with a leaky roof, moldy basement, and a huge headache. This is why it’s always a good idea to get a home inspection before you close on a new home.
It is important that you know the different types of home insurance as well when looking for home inspector. You may be overwhelmed by the process of looking for a quality home inspector. Here are a few ways to find the right one for you and your budget.
Ask Around
One of the best ways to find great recommendations on home inspectors is by asking around your area. Talk with local friends and family who have purchased homes recently and discuss their experience. Also, wIth the help of technology, you don’t even have to leave your living room to get some great referrals!
Using Facebook or apps like Next Door, you can inquire about home inspectors in your neighborhood and see what other locals recommend. This is a great idea for those who live far from friends and family and have very little personal connections in the neighborhood.
Talk to Your Realtor
Your realtor will always have a recommendation for an inspector, and especially during a busy home-buying season, this may be the best way to go. They may be able to push the inspector to get out to the property sooner, helping you close more quickly. Unfortunately, there is also a conflict of interest here.
Your realtor wants to sell you a home, and the inspector wants to get paid, right? This may lead to them glossing over minor issues with the property so the sale can go through more quickly. Ultimately, if you decide to go with your realtor’s recommendation, do your research into the company first and be sure they have a good reputation.
Request a Sample
Generally, inspections all cover the same common items when it comes to your property, but some are more comprehensive than others and go more in-depth on issues with the home and cost estimates to fix these problems.
Requesting a sample from a potential home inspector is a good way to see the scope of what they look at and how detailed their reports are. You want to hire a professional that covers every base, includes photos of any damage or potential issues, and offers feedback about how to maintain areas of the home that may end up being problematic down the line.
Look at Credentials
A few things to look at when choosing a home inspector are how long they’ve been in business, how many inspections they’ve done, and if they have any professional certifications. If they’ve been in business for a long time, it’s pretty safe to say that they’re experienced in what they do.
If your new home has unique needs, such as being an older historic home or a house with unusual architectural design, you should look at professionals who are versed in this specific area and can provide the best insight on existing and forthcoming problems.
As you go through the many steps to buy a house, you may find yourself overwhelmed with information and the fear of the unknown. But, with a quality inspector on your side, you can be sure you won’t have any surprising repairs or issues in the future, helping you sleep a little better at night in your new home.