NHIM 2021: Avoid These 8 Common Home Inspection Missteps That Cost Buyers Money!

Avoid these 8 Common Home Inspection Missteps that Cost Buyers Money!

1. Not Getting Multiple Recommendations- Your real estate agent might suggest a home inspector, and that inspector could turn out to be wonderful. But you are the one buying the house, so make sure you choose well. Besides asking your friends and neighbors, use the American Society of Home Inspectors to vet their recommendations and make sure you hire someone who is qualified.
2. Not Attending the Inspection- Because buyers get a report from the inspector after the job is done, many people do not realize they can be at the inspection. In fact, good inspectors expect you to be there. That way, they can show you what they find and let you know whether it is a big deal or not.
3. Being too Intimidated to Ask Questions- Unless you are a contractor, you probably don’t know much about the “guts” of the house: the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. If you do not understand what the inspector just told you, ask for clarification. So, attend the inspection – and ask plenty of questions.
4. Not turning on Utilities- For a normal home inspection, the utilities will still be connected by the sellers – but that is not always the case. If utilities are turned off, you will miss seeing important stuff, such as whether the dishwasher drains properly, the pipes leak, or the water flow is sufficient. (When you have a head full of shampoo is not when you want to find that out.)
5. Not Testing for Water of Mold Problems- If the home you are buying gets its water from a drinking well (about 15% of U.S. homes do), you need to have the water tested for contaminants. It is also important to test for mold. “Mold remediation can be expensive, and if you have toxic molds, you may end up with health complaints.”
6. Assuming a New-Construction Home is Fine- You probably would not have a new car inspected by a mechanic before buying it, so the same goes when buying a new house, right? Surprisingly, new homes still need to be inspected. Some have been known to topple faster than a five-tier wedding cake without dowel support. Many have defects, even if they did meet county codes. If the builder reassures you that the house is perfect, get it inspected anyway. Save your urge to gamble for the casinos.
7. Not Hiring a Specialist- A home inspector is like a doctor who is a general practitioner. They both can diagnose problems, and they both know when to refer you to a specialist. If your housing inspector recommends a specialist, you should get one.
8. Taking the Report Seriously- It is understandable to want to buy a house after you have gone to all the trouble of finding it, putting in an offer, and then paying for an inspection. But do not forget that the inspection is not a mere formality – you actually need to consider the results. If the inspector finds problems that the seller will not address, depending on the severity of the problems, you might need to pass on the deal.

Avoid these mistakes and be worry free by hiring one of our many Certified Home Inspectors to complete a quality inspection that will go over problem areas and possible recommendations. Give us a call and schedule your inspection today 1-410-867-1202!