Don’t Skip The Home Inspection
When buying a home, the buyer has the opportunity to conduct inspections. There is a wide range of available inspections. The most common is the whole house inspection performed by a licensed professional home inspector. This inspection checks the entire house from roof to basement and everything in between. Most home inspectors are qualified to inspect for wood-destroying insects as well. You might have to hire another professional to inspect some areas of the home. These areas include,
- The well
- The septic system
- Structural concerns
- Scoping the sewer lines with a camera
- Lead Paint
The home inspection period always starts the day after both parties agree to the terms and sign the contract. The time to conduct inspections is negotiable and usually runs between seven and fourteen days. The buyers are encouraged to attend the inspection in person.
The lender does not require home inspections. However, we strongly encourage them and require buyers to sign a waiver if they choose not to inspect a home. During the buying process, it can be tempting to skip the inspection to save money, or during a hot market, buyers might skip inspections to make their offer seem more attractive to a seller. Don’t skip the home inspection! We have seen skipping the inspection come back to bite buyers in the butt and we have seen inspections save the buyer from buying a home with huge issues.
Certain loans might require specialized inspections. Two examples are VA loans, which always require a termite inspection, and manufactured homes, which usually require a structural inspection. Appraisers can flag certain conditions and require additional inspections, too.