What to Expect from a Home Inspection
Before you close on your next property, make sure to have the home professionally inspected and appraised. Some home buyers in a competitive seller’s market will actually waive the home inspection — this is a mistake that you want to avoid at all costs. A home inspection can reveal extensive damage that an average person is unable to detect including water damage, mold, foundation issues, and radon.
What to Expect
Home inspections ensure that you’re buying a worry-free home and give you an idea of any potential problems within the property. Home inspectors can point out potential problems like water damage, termites, radon, and more. They can also make suggestions for ongoing maintenance and fixes. Finding problems during a home inspection isn’t necessarily a bad thing. These issues can become bargaining chips in the negotiation process. Overall, the home inspection helps you make an informed decision about the purchase of the home.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is when an inspector is hired to assess:
- The home’s structures and mechanical systems
- Make sure the property is stable
- Inform you of any danger or major damage
- Identify any potential issues in the future
A home inspector is savvy about the condition of structures such as the roof, walls, ceiling, floors, doorways, windows, appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC system, and foundation. They also check for dangers such as radon, mold, and water damage.
Purpose of a Home Inspection
The main reason behind a home inspection is to reveal problems with the home or at best reveal that the home is flawless. Inspectors will give you a report with their findings, but they won’t give you their opinion if the home is a good deal or not. That’s up to you and your real estate agent to decide.
The home inspection occurs after the buyer’s offer is accepted by the seller and this happens before closing. So, the sale is not complete at the time. When buying a home, you’ll want to schedule the home inspection as soon as you’re under contract because this will give you ample time to complete other inspections and for negotiations.
Hiring a Home Inspector
It’s the buyer’s duty to hire a home inspector even if the seller already had a home inspection done previously. Sometimes a seller will have the house pre-inspected as a selling point before placing it on the market. However, it’s wise to hire your own home inspector to check the house before buying it. Remember, home inspectors are not federally regulated, but in North Carolina, home inspectors must be licensed.
When searching for a home inspector, check the local Better Business Bureau to ensure that the inspector does not have complaints on record. Also, it’s a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends as well as search local professional associations like the North Carolina chapter of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. You could even ask the inspectors for references from prior clients as well as samples of previous reports so you’ll get a good idea of the extent of their inspections.
Home inspections range in price from $300 to $600 or more. You’ll most likely pay at the time of service rather than at closing.
A Property Management Company Can Help
As property managers, we have seen the good and bad of the real estate industry, so we know what can go wrong during the purchase of a home. Buying a home is most likely one of the largest investments of your life, so you don’t want to go into a purchase without the help of a seasoned real estate professional. We have a team of property managers who can guide you through any real estate transaction.
It’s a good idea to have a local real estate expert’s advice and knowledge of the local market. Oak City Properties has decades of experience helping buyers and sellers find their next home.
Need Help?
At Oak City Properties, we approach each property from both a professional and personal perspective. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we manage your investment the same way we would manage our own.
No matter your investment or buying goals, we want to help you succeed. Don’t hesitate to let Oak City Properties empower you by providing high-quality property management solutions. If you’re interested in learning more about how our team of real estate and investment professionals can help, Contact Us or visit our website oakcityproperties.com.
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