Your long and tedious house search yielded the perfect property and the offer you made was accepted – congratulations. The next step in your journey to homeownership is getting through the home inspection. This is your opportunity to look the home over and find any issues with the home that you otherwise would not discover until living there. Take this time to pay close attention, listen to the inspector, and the advice of your trusted agent. Below are some of the steps taken during an inspection and some helpful tips to use along the way.
What Happens at a Home Inspection?
The home inspector will look at all areas of the home including the roof, foundation, plumbing systems, heating systems, and much more. The inspector will take detailed notes and photos to put into a written report for you and your agent to review afterward. If there is a glaring issue the inspector will bring it to your attention and explain what can be done to remedy the issue.
What Do Home Inspectors Look For?
A full list of what your home inspector will investigate according to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI):
- Heating system
- Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
- Interior plumbing and electrical systems
- Roof
- Attic, including visible insulation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windows and doors
- Foundation
- Basement
- Structural components
Who Pays for the Home Inspection?
Typically in most regions, the buyer will contact a home inspector of their choice and pay them directly. If you do not have a preferred home inspector your agent will be able to make a recommendation of a trusted professional.
How Long Do Home Inspections Take?
The length of the inspection differs from home to home based on the size, age, and thoroughness of the inspector. Generally speaking most inspections last between 2 and 4 hours.
What Happens After the Inspection?
You and your agent will review the inspection report provided by the home inspector. If the report shows few or expected problems, the home buying process and closing date should move ahead smoothly. Your agent might suggest asking the seller to deal with minor issues and repairs before the closing. If there is a more serious issue your agent will guide you through the next best steps.
Whether this is your first home purchase or your 10th, a home inspection is not a step to skip over in the home purchasing process. We wish you luck as you continue towards your goal of homeownership.
For local assistance in the Kaufman County area of the Dallas-Fort Worth community, Beyond 404 Real Estate can be your trusted local real estate agent. Our real estate office is located in Forney and home to agents with vast knowledge on all things home-related. Give us a call today to help you along your journey. Anthoney Hanks at www.beyond404realty.com
