Typical Mistakes Made at Home Inspections

When you are buying a home, the home inspection isare problems, but otherwise, you'll go into escrow
one of the move important parts of the process. Ifand purchase the house. If this is the case, the
you don't get a home inspection, you may pay for ahomeowner might be willing to completely pay for
house that has a leaky roof, poor wiring, termite andthe inspection.
other pest damage, dangerous asbestos qualities inMistake #3: Hiring an Inspector Affiliated with a
the air, a crumbling foundation, or more! After you'veContractor
purchased the house, there is little you can do ifInspection is a tricky business. If your home inspector
you've waived your right to a home inspection.is affiliated with a contractor of any kind, there's the
They're absolutely necessary.chance that his review of the home might be
Even some people who get home inspections makedishonest. He may say that your foundation needs
huge mistakes in dealing with these findings. What dowork, for example, but in reality, that might be just
you do if your inspector finds a problem? What doto direct your business toward the contractor.
you do if your inspector misses something huge?Many states have strict laws as to how an inspector
How you react is up to you - but don't make themust work. In some cases, it is illegal for an inspector
follow home inspection mistakes:to be affiliated with a contractor or to do any kind
Mistake #1: Not Signing a Contract with your Homeof contracting work himself. In other states, this is
Inspectornot illegal. Regardless, be very careful about who you
Some inspectors are sent y the city in order tohire. Ask for recommendations and samples of their
ensure that the home in inhabitable or able to bework before you shell out any money.
renovated. However, when it comes to buying aMistake #4: Not Understanding your Home Inspection
home, you'll more than likely need to work with anIf you don't understand your home inspection, why
inspector who works for an inspection company. Inget on in the first place? Make sure that the results
this case, always sign a contract.you are give are easy to understand so that you can
Home inspections usually cost between $300 andmake a good choice about purchasing the house or
$2000, depending on the size of the home and thenot. If there is something that you don't understand,
types of things the person is inspecting. Read theask the inspector to explain it to you.
contract carefully so that you understand exactlyIn addition, the home's current residents should
what you are getting for your money. There shouldcompletely understand the home inspection as well.
also be something in the contract guaranteeing youThis is especially important if you decide not to buy
against mistakes and omissions so that if the homeor are asking for a credit to fix a problem that was
inspector is wrong or doesn't see a huge problem,uncovered. Provide them with a copy of the
you can get your money back or otherwise takeinspection report, as well as the phone number and
care of the problem.other contact information of the inspector.
Mistake #2: Not Considering your Payment OptionsAgain, the biggest mistake you can make in regards
In today's market, it is a buyer's world. That meansto home inspections is to not get one at all. Current
that homeowners often offer incentives to potentialhomeowners aren't necessarily out to trick you into
buyers. Find out when it he last time the buyer hadbuying a property with a ton of problems. However,
the home inspected. If it's been five years or more,they've probably lived in the home for years - or
ask them to partially pay for a new home inspection.even decades in many cases. They may simply not
You might not decide to purchase the house, but ifknow that there are any problems. By getting a
this is the case, the homeowner will have the homehome inspection, you're protecting yourself and
inspection results to show other potential buyers.potentially avoiding making what could be a bad
You can also talk to the homeowner about signing ainvestment. Home inspections should be a part of
contract to buy if the home inspection comes backevery real estate transaction.
clean. You'll be able to consider your options if there