Open houses can make the home-buying process seem overwhelming. It is important to distinguish between your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Identify your dream (sort of) home. Making an offer. Negotiating the final price. It’s tempting to let out a huge sigh now that you have completed your work.
But don’t rush. It is crucial to have a home inspection in Aberdeen WA done before you buy a house. The inspection process can be as stressful for the buyer and seller as it is for them. What happens if you fall in love with a home with major problems?
It is important to be attentive during this confusing process and to take steps to avoid common pitfalls. What could go wrong? We can help. These are the mistakes you should avoid when you have an inspection of your dream home.
To forgo an inspection in the first instance
Most people are aware that they need to have an inspection of a house they’re purchasing from another person. Michael Marlow is a Certified Master Inspector(r), and the owner of Home Inspections. He has found that buyers skip inspections when purchasing new construction. This is a huge mistake.
He says that he has yet to inspect a home built after the construction boom and recommends that buyers not be too pushy with builders trying to discourage them from an inspection.
A word of caution: Do not skimp on any extra inspections required for your property. You should also consider pools, wells, and septic systems. Also, be aware of other potential problems such as lead or radon that may not be covered by a home inspection.
Choose the most affordable inspection option
Marlow states that there are many inspectors who charge very low fees for home inspections. This could be because they are new or inexperienced or they have trouble finding clients.
We aren’t saying that you shouldn’t choose an affordable inspection or that all affordable inspectors should be trusted. We recommend that you do your research before choosing the cheapest option.
It is difficult to determine what credentials you are looking for without being in the home inspection business. Marlow points out that there are certain signs to look for. Marlow says that you should avoid inspectors who don’t use the most recent equipment. For example, an inspector using chemical swabs to test lead paint rather than XRF technology.
You should ask your agent to refer you to a qualified professional. However, you should also look online for reviews before you commit to an inspector.
Inspectors are not required to be present
Are you tempted to allow the inspector to do her job and then read the report later on? It’s not worth it, advises Realtor(r) Bill Golden of Re/Max Metro Atlanta. He says that even a detailed report with photos is not the same thing as being there.
Golden states that an inspector must report on all items found, regardless of how minor. It is very helpful to hear the inspector’s comments and be able ask questions in order to determine which items are really a concern.
Golden suggests that you attend the inspection’s end at least once to review the findings. An inspection can take up to three hours. You can always have your agent accompany you to see what the inspector finds.
The inspector should not be seen.
Don’t miss the chance to get more information about your home while you’re there, advises John Mease, an Atlanta home inspector.
Mease states that buyers are invited to inspect the entire home.
He says that it is a waste to spend your time checking your email and choosing colors for your new living space while the inspector works is not a good idea.
Overly involved in inspection
Golden also acknowledges that it is possible to be as well as present during an inspection.
Golden states, “It’s great for inspectors to follow them around to see what they find, but if you get in his way or spend too many time talking up him, he may lose focus of the task at hand, and that could lead to you being distracted.”
Don’t try and do the inspector’s work. It can be frustrating for buyers to test water flow and appliances while an inspector is working.
Mease states that if a buyer operates a sink in the kitchen, while an inspector tests the shower in the master bath, it can affect the system’s response.
Expecting perfection in a report and reacting excessively if it isn’t
An inspection is not a pass/fail test. Every home will have flaws. Don’t be surprised to find 50 to 100 “deficiencies” during an inspection. Many of these might be minor.
He says, “Buyers who don’t know how to handle the inspection can be taken aback and that can lead to a sour taste in their mouths.”
Asking questions is key to understanding the scope of each issue, suggests Rob Nelson. This real estate broker at Center Coast Realty in Chicago recommends. This will allow you to distinguish “nice-to repair” from “must be repaired” defects.
Focusing on the wrong thing
We have already mentioned that not all violations are the same. An inspection can help you find significant problems with the property, such as foundation issues, HVAC systems or roof issues.
Nelson states that these are the things you should be focusing on when negotiating and negotiating with sellers.
Nelson warns that an inspection is not the right time to focus on small details such as a cracked outlet cover. I’ve seen sellers pull out of contracts after buyers gave them a list of minor issues that could have been fixed by a visit to the hardware store.
Sellers will be more open to a reasonable list. Do your research on the estimated cost of repairs so you can decide what is worth noting.
Not getting negotiated repairs reinspected
After the repairs have been completed as agreed, it is a good idea to obtain a final signature from your home inspector.
Marlow claims he has rarely done a reinspection that all the repairs negotiated were completed. Worse, he’s been issued receipts for work that wasn’t done.
